SOCSARGEN Celebrates Mindanao Week of Peace 2009

SOCSARGEN celebrated the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) 2009 on November 26 to December 2, 2009. The celebration was initiated by Bishop Ulama Conference who highlighted peace advocacies and initiatives of various groups in the area.

Celebrating this year’s MWOP included expression of peace through painting, essay-writing, song composition, photo exhibit, biking race, kite-flying, peace camps and forums.

Along with these advocacy activities, various sectors conducted free medical checkup, dental operations, and child friendly activities in areas that were victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters.

Child Friendly Activities at Pananag, Maasim, SP

Sharing at the Peace Camp, Kiamba, SP

Medical Operation at Tuyan, Glan, SP

Pre-MWOP activities bared
Responding proactively to the call of peace and development advocacy in Mindanao, twenty (20) secondary schools in SOCSARGEN joined in the Pre-Mindanao Week of Peace activities held at the DXCP Compound, General Santos City, November 7, 2009.

In coordination with the Department of Education in its mandate of mainstreaming peace education in schools, Ernesto Casiple Jr. and the KKC Tri-Youth volunteers facilitated the day’s events including poster-making, essay-writing, and on air quiz bee.

Essay Writing at Passionist Compound

Peace Canvasses

Peace Quiz on Air at DXCP-CMN

With the theme,” THINK Mindanao, FEEL Mindanao, BRING PEACE to Mindanao” and deviating from the customary concept of competition, participating students expressed and displayed their ideology on a canvas, through proposals, and through a mental challenge called Hulagway sa Kalilintad, Sulat K’linaw, and Utok K’linaw.

Further, Erns Casiple, the project head, discussed and explained the essence of understanding Mindanao history, the culture of peace and respect for others. Alnezzar Ali, a renowned Mindanaoan artist, facilitated the painting activity while divulging helpful ideas and tips on canvas display.


COMMUNITY WORKSHOP-TAPESTRY CREATION

Amateur student artists of General Santos City converged to create a tapestry of art called Likos.

Likos is a Maguindanon word for tapestry -like textile that is hanged horizontally with okir motifs as embellishments, often used as decors in festive events.

This workshop used traditional techniques with a touch of modern art including painting, collage and mixed media trimmings. This promoted creativity without the technical demands of traditional piecing. Beadworks were also applied through a separate workshop on bead-making.

Tapestry creation was also an interactive work that promoted unity in diversity, focused on one goal: making a likos wall of approximately four meters wide and one meter long. Kalimudan Culture & Arts Center conducted the workshop last November 21-22 with 21 participants and 8 professional artists as coaches.


THE OPENING

MWOP 2009 formally opened at Brgy Panang, Maasim Sarangani Province on November 2, 2009. Religious and tribal sectors, military, students, parishioners , and NGOs joined the parade, followed by a short program that showcased intermission numbers, peace-promoting songs, and children’s reflection on peace.

One of the shared messages was delivered by a muslim child, Raihana. She said, “sana mabigyan kami ng karapatang manirahan sa isang mapayapa at tahimik na barangay. Gusto naming maging malaya, mabigyan ng sapat na edukasyon, mapaunlad ang sariling kakayahan at mabigyan ng proteksyon laban sa mapagsamantala, panganib at karahasan para makapaglaro at makapaglibang. Salamat sa pagbigay n’yo sa amin ng karapatan para maipahayag ang aming sariling pananaw.”

The program was concluded through a song. Even after this, the audience kept on volunteering to sing.

RACE FOR PEACE

Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) spearheaded the 1st Tour de Sarangani with the theme “Riding for Hope and Racing for Peace” last November 29. The race launched in Maitum and culminated in Glan. Alex Josol of RMN presented the three participating teams. The participants were welcomed by Mayor Elsie Perrette of the Municipality of Glan.
The bikers reached the finish line in Glan wthin seven hours, bringing with them the message of condemnation on recent Maguindanao massacre.


KITE FLYING FOR PEACE

The Peace Education Center of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University hosted Kite Flying For Peace at Oval Plaza last November 30, 2009.
The activity started with a prayer led by Sr. Cynthia Triumfante, SMSM— “… Panginoon, narito po kami ngayon, nagkatipon-tipon upang ipahiwatig namin ang aming adhikaing magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa aming islang Mindanaw at sa buong mundo…”
Kites made by NDDU students, religious groups, Peace and Development Advocacy League, and various organizations soared high bringing with them messages of peace.

PEACE ACTIVITIES FOR THE CHILDREN

Sixty-five children participated in “Peace Tiles” (organized for ages 5 to 8 years) and “Peace Train” (organized for ages 9 to 12 years) at Robinsons Place last November 30 conducted by Kalmudan Culture and Art Center.

Children were given boxes as surface mediums for their art expression. All the six faces of the box were painted or drawn. Others put more details on it by drawing peace symbols such as doves. After which, the train boxes were connected together with strings—this symbolized the united voices and visions of the little ones in peace building through peace expression.


PANAGHOY SA KALINAW — SEASON TWO

Nine bands presented their original pieces of peace songs at “Panaghoy Sa Kalinaw — Season 2” last November 30 at the Robinsons’ Place, General Santos City.
The activity aimed to continue its music advocacy for lasting peace in Mindanao.

The participating bands were PNP PRO-12 Band, Jesus Ministry Band, Tim Band, Agape Band, Sentro Band, Hands up to God Band, Alsa Armas Band, Skunk Whistle Band, and the C Major Band.

Mr. Gervy Augustine conceptualized and produced this activity since he successfully organized the premier activity, “Panaghoy sa Kalinaw The Concert,” participated by Arnel Pineda himself.


FESTIVAL OF FARMERS, FISHERMAN AND STUDENTS

Farmers, fishermen & students from Barangay Tambilil and Baranagy Gasi converged at JBT Caing Sr. Memorial School in Tambilil Kiamba to share their experiences in organic farming last December 1, 2009.

Success stories of farmers engaged in organic farming were shared. Fr. Greto Bugas, an advocate of organic farming encouraged all the farmers to go organic in order to reduce harmful physical consequences of the use of synthetic fertilizers and to trim down expenses on farm inputs. He also encouraged the use of herbal medicines and eat food products from organic farms to help normalize blood circulation.

Ibrahim Nilong, invited a student from MSU, to share the technology of composting fertilizer through worm culture.

Hon. Rommel Falgui, mayor of the municipality of Kiamba emphasized the challenge to bring food security in the municipality. He further said that organic farming helped the farmers convert expenses in the farm input (e.g. fertilizers, pesticides) to savings.

After the program, the farmers, fishermen, students of the host school, and visitors had their lunch of paksiw’ng isda on organic rice, packed in banana leaves.

THE CULMINATION

Hundreds of peace advocates from SOCSARGEN area joined the closing celebration of MWOP 2009 from the parade to a half-day festivity in Tu-yan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province. Volunteer medical professionals also joined the activity by conducting medical missions.
Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez congratulated Tuyan Elementary School for hosting the activity and for being chosen as the “School of Peace”. He thanked all who attended for advocating peace.
The bishop also expressed his condemnation on the massacre at Maguindanao last November 23, 2009. According to him it was not a work of a human but the devil.
The festivity included singing and dancing of tri-people, blowing of bubbles of hopes and dreams, and band presentations from various schools.
One of the student sharers, Maricon Esparagosa, highlighted the celebration through her message that said:

“…aduna kami tulo ka tribu dinhi sa among barangay, apan wala gayod kami magkagubot nahitungod lamang sa among pagkalain-laing relihiyon. Amo kining nasabtan gikan sa among mga teachers nga dili ang relihiyon ang magdala kanato sa gingharian sa Diyos apan atong pagsalig og pagtoo kaniya. Kung aduna man kami panagbikil sa among mga classmates amo ining ginapaningkamutan nga dili maapil ang beliefs sa usag-usa. Pagrespeto sa usag-usa ang dapat natong palabihon dili kay kung unsa lang nga imong pagtoo ng makaayo og makapadatu kanimo. Ibitang nato sa atong huna-huna nga ang tawo dili moasinso kung magdinautay. Dapat kanato magtinabangay, magsinabtanay para sa kalambuan kanatong tanan og sa atong nasud…unsaon nato pagkab-ot sa kalinaw nga atong gusto na tagamtaman kung magdimautay kita sa atong isigkatao. Kuhaon nato ang atong attitude nga ginatawag og “CRAB MENTALITY”, ibig sabihin dili nato birahon pababa ang tawo nga padulong na sa pag asenso. Dapat sa kanunay ang Ginoo ang sentro sa atong kasing kasing. Dili matuman ang atong mga damgo og pangandoy kung wala kitay pagsalig og respeto sa usag-usa. Let us think and feel Mindanao as our Mother Land. Say NO to war. Let us bring peace to Mindanao.”

KONSULT MINDANAW SOCSARGEN REGIONAL REPORT

KONSULT MINDANAW
A project commissioned by the Bishops-Ulama ConferenceMulti-sectoral and Cross-regional Community Consultation on the Mindanao Peace Process

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ON ANSWERS RAISED DURING THE FOCUSSED GROUP DISCUSSIONS


QUESTION NO 1. VISION OF PEACE
What does peace mean to you? When did you experience peace? What is your vision of a peaceful Mindanao? What conditions or situations make up your peaceful Mindanao?

There is an experience of war and awareness of the armed struggle in the various places in SOCSARGEN area such that this basic desire for peace is seen in the participants’ definition of peace as the absence of the currently experienced armed conflict, particularly dominant among Muslim participants’s response is“No to War in Mindanao” for the sake of the children, their education and the future of Mindanao as a whole.

Ang kapayapaan ay makakamit kung matapos ang gyera para sa pagkakaisa at walang gulo! (Muslim-Ulama)
Absence of War, silence of community. Wala ng kailangan ang evacuation center. (Muslim – Women)
Gusto ko wala ng gulo. Ang Muslim at kristiyano mabuo para wala ng gulo. (Muslim – NGO)

Interestingly, although there are responses of “No to War” among the Catholic and Protestant Groups, a good number of visions peace is anchored largely on their religion and the desired values embodied therein. One probable reason for this is that they are not primarily situated in conflict-affected areas.

Result of love and respect and the product of justice. (Protestant – Religious)
Kailangan may total change - change of life, change of mind, ug change of attitude (Protestant – Rural Folks)

I just want to add na there is peace if respect reigns in everybody's heart because there is harmonious relationship kasi kung respect nasa ating lahat, regardless of age, regardless of your tribe, I guess nandun talaga yung kapayapaan. (Catholic – Academe)

The desire of the Mindanawons for peace is characterized not only by the absence of war but also of feeling safe and secured, the ability to meet the basic needs of the family, and the longing for a peaceful community. At the personal/individual domain, participants considered availability of food (food on the table), access to basic services (education, health, housing), sustainable source of income as dominant elements of a peaceful life.

“Ang kalinaw kay walang kabalaka o walay kahadlukan. Kay kung hilom lang, dili man na kalinaw. Kay naay hilom na nahadlok ug naay hilom na nabalaka. Ang kalinaw kanang naa basic na panginahanglan sa mga tao, mao na akong pagsabot sa kalinaw “ (Catholic / Farmers)

Almost with the same spiritual/religious context with the other groups in terms of their vision of peace, the Muslim respondents envision peace in Mindanao as largely embodied in the approval of the MOA-AD.

We can't live peacefully in Mindanao, if the government doesn't fulfill the implementation Tripoli Agreement of GRP-MNLF (Muslim - IDP)
For me, for peace, government should grant MILF what they want. (Muslim – Youth)


QUESTION NO 2. ON THE GRP-MILF PEACE TALKS
What are your recommendations on the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF?

Across groups and sectors, the dominant sentiments of the respondents are “we do not know what is contained in the MOA-AD”. Even among Muslim respondents who are supposed to have knowledge on substance of the agreement cannot effectively articulate it.

The absence of consultation among the stakeholders and the government’s attempt to push on the MOA-AD despite, is largely viewed as a manifestation of the government’s insincerity to the peace process.

For some participants across groups and sectors, the MOA-AD is perceived to be an acceptable instrument towards attaining peace in Mindanao for as long as it is done in good faith as expressed in the following responses:

“Ang akong recomendasyon ani mapagawas nato ang atong tunay na opinion para masabtan nila gyud kung unsa gyud. Kung pabayaan man gud ang MI igiit man nima ilang kagustuhan, lalo na sa MOA. Kinahanglan nga kung unsa man ang maayo sa kanila, ihatag. (Catholic - Women)

“No transparency. We are in the dark about peace process. Wala na pahibalo sa tanan ang provision about MOA. We said that the MOA is unconstitutional, but this is the way to peace.”
(Protestant – Religious)

There are responses from the Muslim participants that they are also part of the solution. A re-examination of their position is expressed in the following lines:

“Ang importante sa bawat isa sa atin, kasi nga nagmamahalan tayo, dapat meron ding pagsasaway. Kung alam natin na ang kasama natin may planong hindi maganda, sawayin/pagsabihan natin. Pagsabihan natin ng maayos. Iniutos yan sa lahat ng Muslim (Sector: Traditional Leaders).

Sinisigaw natin since this morning, kapayapaan. Now papaano natin iyan makakamit? Dahil Muslims marami pa rin masama, marami pa rin ang gumagamit ng druga. So ang Kristiyanos tinitingnan lang tayo na ganyan pala tayo. So kailangan mayroon din tayong solusyon sa mga problemang ito. (Sector: NGOs)

The demand for transparency, careful selection of the GRP peace panel (the inclusion of women, Lumad, religious) are among those which were recommended by the respondents. These responses put into fore the mistrust generated by government’s “way of doing its job” as far as the peace talk is concerned (MOA-AD used as a carrot and stick strategy).

The government’s indecisiveness and its high-handed manner of handling the Mindanao problem is viewed in the context of being unfaithful in its pursuit of a truly lasting peace in Mindanao. The Imperial Manila doesn’t really care. Thus, a general feeling of distrust in the government’s real intention in the resumption of the peace talks. (Were the people of Mindanao given the chance to have a say on who will be in the GRP panel for the resumption of the peacetalk?)

The Lumads were not consulted despite their ancenstral domains being threatened / compromised by the MOA-AD.

Kita nga mga nitibo, gibilin sa atong mga katigulangan , ang yuta natong natawhan, adunay Republic Act 8371, nakabutang sa maong balod nga kita nga mga tribu may dakong katungod sa pag-angkon ug pagkultibar sa atong Ancestral Domain (Lumad – Farmers)

There are also several interesting responses that appeal for some reflections:

1. For me, malapit sa imposible ang pagkakaroon ng peaceful Mindanao dahil kulang sa edukasyon at isa pa kahit mga Muslim mismo di nagkakaisa….mahirap at imposible kasi nga kahit sa teritoryo ng mga Muslim ay di sila nagkakaintindihan dahil nga sa mga datu. (Muslim - Business)
2. Dapat sa ibang Muslim na magkaisa. Sabi ni Allah: hindi ko ibigay ang nais nyo hanggat di kayo magka isa. “Kaya sabi ng gobyerno, di nga kayo nagkakaisa, pano namin kayo matutulungan? (Muslim – Ulama)
3. The one who should lead the Muslims should be a true Muslim. (Muslim – Professionals)
4. Sorry to say but those Muslims who where educated are the very people who fooled their fellow Muslims. (Muslim – Professionals)
5. Kailangan mag-usap muna nang maayos ang MILF at MNLF bago humarap sa peace talk. (Muslim – Professionals)


QUESTION NO 3. ON THE BROADER PEACE PROCESS.
What other steps, activities or programs should be undertaken to achieve peace in Mindanao?

The various recommendations from among the responses included sincere governance, responsible development programs, fair labor policies, and policies justly implemented (walang kinikilingan);

Across groups and sectors, the role of mass media in the area of peacebuilding is considered to be negative. Responses vary from being insensitive, unjust, biased and irresponsible.
Reforms in the education sector is highly desired to effectively compliment the peacebuilding initiatives in Mindanao. Education is viewed as a major aspect in solving the Mindanao problem although much is still desired as far as access, content and educational management are concerned.

There are responses that aspire for an improved economic atmosphere through just implementation of development projects, and a more vigilant approach to corruption in the government line agencies.

QUESTION NO 4. ON PERSONAL COMMITMENT.
What can you personally offer, commit or even sacrifice in order to have meaningful peace in Mindanao? How do you intend to bring it to reality?

Across groups and sectors, the religious orientation of the participants are expressed as an integral component in the attainment of peace in Mindanao.

The participants’ responses are along the line of continuing the various personal and sectoral peace advocacies they are currently engaged in.

Dialogue (Inter-faith and Intra-faith) is perceived as an effective approach in resolving issues.