waging peace in mindanao: addressing ridu abhoud syed m. lingga executive director institute of...
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Waging Peace in Mindanao:
Addressing Ridu
Abhoud Syed M. LinggaExecutive Director
Institute of Bangsamoro Studies
2011Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines National Convention
Davao City 21-23 September 2011
Armed Conflicts in Mindanao
Government forces MILF/MNLF Forces Self-determination
Government forcesCommunist Party
(CPP/NPA/NDF)Ideological
Indigenous Peoples
Government forces
Government forces
Business interests(fishing, logging, mining, etc)
Resource-based
Abu Sayaf/JI
Criminal elements
Terrorism
Criminality
Clan/family Clan/family Ridu (Clan conflict)
A state of conflict when parties involved resort to violent retaliation and counter retaliation resulting to cyclic system of vengeance. In most cases, conflict becomes ridu when it resulted to death in either party.
Conflict becomes ridu when there is violent hostility between or among the parties involved resulting to retaliation. Sometimes, even if no one dies one party takes preemptive action if he perceives that the other party has the plan to attack.
Ridu among the Meranaws and Iranuns Pagbanta among the Tausug Kontara among the Yakans Pagbaus among the Sama Ukag/kontra/kontla among the
Magindanaun in the upper valley Lido among the Higaonon
Family and clan conflicts happen not only in Mindanao but also in other parts of the Philippines
Inter kin group conflict also happens in indigenous communities in the Cordillera region as well as in Mindanao
LandDisputes
Political Rivalrie
s
Common Crimes
Resources &
Businesses
Other Disputes
• Ownership • Inheritance • Boundary • Disputed government surveys• Disputed ancestral land claims
• Election related
• Murder • Homicide• Robbery (cattle rustling)• Sexual offenses• Physical injuries• Illegal drugs
•Competition over fishing ground•Competition over market shares
• Games• Marriage concerns (elopement, non payment of dowry) • Non- payment of debts
Tendencies of parties to retaliate violently targeting not just the offender but also other members of the family or clan
The retaliation and counter retaliation involve the whole family or clan
Can last for several generations
New phenomenon in Muslim communities in Mindanao. Ridu started after the declined of the power of the sultanates
Conflict Feeling of Injustice
Kanaman/Maratabat/
Sipug
Generate
Justice
Restoration of damagedkanaman/maratabat/sipug
Violation of
ViolenceAbsence/failure of
justice system
Once there is failure/absence of justice system, the response of the aggrieved parties will depend upon their capabilities
Accessibility to guns will likely make the response more violent
If the aggrieved party is not in the position to retaliate the conflict becomes latent
CONFLICT
Unresolved
Intervention(No intervention)
PeacefulResolution
Ridu
Failure
Escalation
Success
LatentSuppressed/Concealed
Transformation of Conflict into Ridu
RIDU
Unresolved
Intervention(no intervention)
PeacefulResolution
LatentSuppressed/Concealed
Escalation
Failure
Success
Recurrence
Possibility
Transformation of Ridu
Death Limits freedom of movements Generates feeling of insecurity and
peacelessness Destruction of properties and livelihood
◦Burning of Houses◦ Damages to farms, livelihood◦ Lost Income◦ Impoverishment
Displacement◦Evacuations◦ Transfer of Residency
Formal System◦ Philippine courts◦ Katarungang Pambarangay ◦ Philippine Shari’ah Courts
Innovative mechanism of LGUs
Traditional ways of the datus
NGOs initiatives
MILF/MNLF conflict resolution bodies◦ MILF/MNLF Shariah courts◦ Reconciliation committees
Ridu is the consequence of the absence/failure of justice system
If wrong is done and justice is given to the offended party, the conflict is resolved for justice is the restorative system of damaged kanaman, or maratabat, or sipug
Contested authority (between the GPH and MILF)
Problem in the administration of justice
Mistrust in the police and jail management
Camp Abubakre was not a military camp but a community
Before year 2000 it was under complete control of the MILF
When it was under the control of the MILF, crime rate was zero and there were no ridu
There were instances where Christians file complaints against Muslims and were decided in favor of the Christians within short period of time
Ridu before the establishment of the camp were resolved
Maguindanao◦ 3 Municipal Trial Courts (Vacant)◦ 5 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)
Sulu◦ 1 Municipal Trial Court (Vacant)◦ 4 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)
Tawi-Tawi◦ 5 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)
Basilan◦ 2 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (With Judges)
Lanao del Sur◦ 1 Municipal Trial Court (Vacant)◦ 9 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (2- with Judges;
7 Vacant)
Lanao del Norte◦ 2 Municipal Trial Courts (Vacant)◦ 8 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (3 – Vacant;
5 – with judges)
Corruption(2011 Pulse Asia perceptions survey revealed that
the PNP is regarded as the second most corrupt government agency)
Lack of independence(Influence of political leaders, influential and rich
families, landlords and business-people)
Resolve the self-determination conflict in Mindanao (GPH-MILF conflict) to address the issue of contested authority
Improve administration of justice◦ Make justice accessible and affordable◦ Appoint judges, prosecutors and public attorneys
Security reform◦ Strengthen policing◦ Reform jail management◦ Disband militias (paramilitary groups)◦ Disband private armies
Promote peaceful methods of conflict resolution
Promote ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution)
◦ To encourage NGO initiatives, participation of traditional leaders, and LGUs initiatives
◦ Review RA 9285 on how it can be used to address ridu