Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc.

Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw ... sa Mindanaw, sa Pilipinas, sa Kalibutan

BMFI to hold peace policy forum with Mindanao’s key military officials
Posted 14 February 2010

Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) will be holding a peace policy forum with Mindanao’s key military leadership together with the academe, civil society, church and government agencies at the Ateneo de Davao on February 19.

To be anchored by ANC’s Tina Monzon-Palma, the forum will tackle the question “Transforming Conflict and Building Peace in Mindanao Towards Security Sector Reform: An Option or a Policy?”

To tackle issues on workable peace policies and peace interventions in the Armed Forces are panelists Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzalez, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer of the Eastern Mindanao Command and Anak Mindanaw Party List Representative Ariel Hernandez.

The panelists and the reactors are likewise expected to talk about how peace education among soldiers can help improve conflict management strategies and help reduce violence and ultimately help develop peaceful communities in Mindanao.

To be held at the amphitheater of ADDU’s Finster Hall, the program will open at 1 p.m. with the launch of the book “Soldiers for Peace: A Collection of Peacebuilding Stories in Mindanao,” which is a joint project of BMFI and EastMinCom.

Discussion will then proceed with the panelists and reactors, which include Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Commander of WestMinCom; Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, J3 of AFP; Maj. Gen. Anthony Alcantara, commander of the 6ID; Maj. Gen Carlos Holganza, commander, 10ID; Maj. Gen. Mario Chan, commander, 4ID; Col. Benito de Leon, Senior Military Adviser of the DND; Col. Nicanor Dolojan, commander, 403Bde; Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno; Prof. Saturnina Rodil (Academe/MSU IIT); Prof. Rudy Rodil (former GRP Panel member); Ma. Ida Giguiento (NGO/CRS); Sylvia Paraguya (IP/ BMFI); Fr. Jun Mercado (NGO/IAG); Inday Santiago (MWC); Fr. Bert Alejo (Academe/ATENEO); Archbishop Fernando Capalla (Bishops-Ulama Conference); Vicente Lao (MBC); Presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court (Reg. X) Ma. Corazon Gaite-Llanderal.

BMFI has partnered with EastMinCom in a program of building capacities on conflict management and peace building through the conduct of trainings for soldiers and of dialogues among commanders and generals. This program is seen as a strategy to enhance the security sector reform (SSR) that helps create non-violent mechanisms in resolving local conflicts and engages the local government units and other stakeholders in developing the communities.

Prior to this partnership, Balay Mindanaw has already engaged three infantry brigades -- namely, 103rd, 602nd and 403rd that cover Lanao Provinces, Cotabato, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. For two years, in 2007 and 2008, peace training courses were provided to over 500 junior officers, non-commissioned officers, enlisted personnel and even CAFGUs/CADREs combined. Policy discussion workshops were also made possible with ground commanders led by General Raymundo Ferrer.

In 2008, the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG) has begun a partnership with the Philippine Marine Corps then under the leadership of General Ben Dolorfino. With fund support from AusAid, IAG and Balay Mindanaw conducted a series of peace workshops in Zamboanga, Basilan, Jolo and Palawan for the officer corps of the Philippine Marines. The workshops were geared towards enhancing the role of the military in building peace.

These continuing partnerships with the military aim to transform the security sector through (1) transforming the paradigm of the military on peace and conflict in Mindanao and (2) formulating policies that institutionalize peace education and changing the basis of promotions of soldiers apart from the body count and firearms surrendered syndrome.

The peace courses at the division level (4th, 6th and 10th Infantry Divisions) are finally over, with more than 500 junior officers (from the Army, Navy and Police) as participants. These trainings tried to enhance soldiers’ understanding on the conflict in Mindanao and develop their skills in conflict analysis and other peaceful approaches to conflict and violence like mediation, negotiation, dialogue and assertive communication.

In a similar vein, IAG is presently engaged in the phase two of the peace workshops for the Philippine Marines that includes, among others, topics on sustainable development, environmental protection and communication skills to provide a more holistic approach to bridging leadership training.

As Balay Mindanaw and IAG continue to engage the Eastern Mindanao Command and the Western Mindanao Command of the AFP on security sector reform, policy discussion workshops among key personnel of the AFP have started. The ongoing talk on security sector reform looks very promising with the prospect of integrating the peace training modules in the curriculum of military schools.

Many of the soldiers who are graduates of the peace courses have somehow applied their lessons in their present areas of operations. Salient personal stories of transformation were documented, including their efforts in building peaceful relations with the civilians through resolving local conflicts and family feuds, and helping barangays develop their own communities.