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Security
Sector Reform (SSR): Creating an enabling environment for peace and
development
By Bibing Mordeno, 4
December 2011
I remember the time when Ms
Juvy Loyola, one of the faculty members of Balay Mindanaw Operation
Peace Course (Op Kors!), was facilitating Security Sector Reform
(SSR) session with some senior officers of the Armed Forces and key
leaders of civil society organizations. Through a structured
learning exercise called “word association (correct minus wrong),”
she asked the participants a concept or thought that comes to their
mind when they hear the words “security sector.”
Most of the answers pointed
out the military and the police only. The other elements in the
sector – such as justice and rule of law, non-statutory security
forces and security management and oversight bodies – are
apparently seen as less crucial to security sector reform. She then
proceeded to discuss security sector as the institutions, groups,
organizations and individuals – both state and non-state – that
have a stake in security and justice provision. These can be
organizations providing security and justice services, and the
organizations that oversee them.
It is in this context that
BMFI’s initiative on engaging key stakeholders, and advancing
capacities and gains in conflict management and peacebuilding
towards a meaningful security sector reform, was conceptualized.
This anchors on the results of the previous peace efforts, which
delved much on capacitating senior and junior officers, key enlisted
personnel, including the Division Training Unit (DTU)
of the military, and some key police officers within the
Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC). This time, the effort focuses on
helping transform the security sector into a sector of sustainable
Peacebuilders and Peace Champions optimizing local partnerships
between or among communities and people pursuing reforms.
On 14 October 2011, BMFI sat
with the members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of
North Cotabato with Governor Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza
presiding. Mr. Ayi C. Hernandez, one of the Board of Trustees of
BMFI, presented the rationale and strategies that will be employed
as far as SSR initiatives are concerned. Without much discussion,
this was recognized by the council as complementary to their
existing peace efforts. Governor Mendoza, on the other hand,
emphasized that the Municipal Peace and Order Councils (MPOCs),
being directly connected to the people on the ground, should also be
considered having crucial stake in this kind of reform initiative.
Mayor Loreto Cabaya Jr., of
Aleosan, North Cotabato, as the head of the MPOC, together with the
Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRM),
gave his affirmative action by way of strengthening the
multi-stakeholders. “Most of the priority issues identified in the
DRRM plan of the conflict affected barangays are related to armed
conflicts that is why we appreciate BMFI’s peacebuilding
initiatives tapping everybody’s active participation in the
municipality,” he said.
As a preliminary move, the
provincial and municipal governments, ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya,
the military (40IB), and BMFI pooled resources to help construct a
madrasah in Barangay Dunguan, most affected by violence in the past
years. The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) also
committed to provide Qur’an and other educational materials for
the of-school age children numbering around 200 in the barangay.
BMFI likewise met with Maguindanao
Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu on 20 November 2011. He
was interested about the SSR, and committed to support it all the
way. He delegated Provincial Administrator Abdulwahab Tunga and
Provincial Local Government Operations Officer (PLGOO) Director Isa
Romancap to ensure efficient implementation of the initiative from
their end.
On 4 November 2011, BMFI was
with the Special Action Team (SAT) of the PPOC-Maguindanao. The SAT
is composed of four brigades of the 6th Infantry Division, the
Philippine National Police, Institute of Primary Health Care (IPHC),
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG )and the Maguindanao Task
Force for Reconciliation and Unification (MTFRU). Attended by about
50 members and escorts of the PPOC-Special Action Team, BMFI showed
its 13-minute video as startup. The SSR initiative was then
presented, including an inter-active discussion about what is SSR.
Police Director Marcelo Pintac emphasized the need of the province
for a regular CSO partner as most of their partners come and go,
with their humanitarian assistance programs. Col. Prudencio Ramos
Asto, of the 6th Infantry Battalion who now is completing his
Doctorate in Peace (scholar/adopted son of the province), also
shared that most of their men and women have already undergone BMFI’s
peace course.
The MTFRU is also
appreciative of BMFI’s “reaching out” intention. They have
organized municipal level “Rido Settlement Committees,” which as
of the present though doing actual conflict resolution work, also
needs more capacity building on effective communication, mediation
and negotiation.
Provincial Administrator
Abdulwahab Tunga, in his speech, cited that “the province is not
only welcoming BMFI but inviting BMFI to be part of the provincial
team for peace”. If ever BMFI would want to be more visible in the
province, they are open to providing it physical space in Buluan,
Maguindanao or at the PLGO office in Cotabato City. As a first timer
to this kind of peacebuilding effort, the team requested to send at
least 10 of their PPOC-SAT members to the peace course scheduled
come first week of December 2011.
The group was amenable to the
Governor’s suggestion to focus the group’s peacebuilding effort
at Barangay Tenoc, Mangudadatu. This barangay really needs major
interventions – basic social services as well as capacity
building.
Yes, security sector is
everybody’s concern – by the entire government, the private
sector and the civil society organizations, including the media.
This peace initiative, when collectively executed by the broader
stakeholders, will surely be another humble contribution to helping
end violent conflicts, another mechanism to building sustainable
peace and development in this part of Mindanao.
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