The Experiences, Challenges and Prospect for a Peaceful

Regional Conference on Peaceful Co-existence Concorde, Hotel, Selangor Feb 11-12, 2020

A. BRIEF BACKGROUND IN THE

• Comprising 3 major Island known Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with the population of 104.9 million as of 2017; • Presidential Unitary Government with Multi Party system. Centralized decision which mostly controlled by political dynasties. • Culturally diverse with estimated 175 entho liquistic group. 17 million of which are Indigenous people belong to 110 enthno- lingguistic groups while 13 Muslim groups are also situated originally in Mindanao • 82% are Catholic, 5.4% are Protestant, 5.8% are Islam while others are pagan • Known to their popular cultural heritage such as Rice terraces, Tubbataha Reefs, Vigan etc • Adhere common values and norms as people including bayanihan, dancing, art, belief, food, etc. B. MINDANAO AND

A. Context

• Identity crisis (Malay, Moro, Filipino) • History on colonialization and migration • Mindanao is no barren land • Rich resources. In fact, little & big wars fought over rich, fertile soil, its gold, copper, nickel and other mineral deposits; its forest and marine resources • Political, economic and socia l deprivation that cause rift for the creation of various movement Mindanao is home to three major groups, referred to as the island’s tri-people. Based on the total population of 16 million (1995 census), the indigenous people is comprise 5 percent; the Islamized people or the Moros 28.23 percent; and the Christians or the settlers and their descendants 71.77 percent (NDJ, 1995). It is home to: 13 Islamized moro groups 18 indigenous peoples groups and at least 9 christian settler groups Moro group are clustered mostly in the provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Muslim populace is composed of 13 ethno-linguistic groups, namely: Maguindanaon, M’ranao, Iranun , Tausog , Sama, Yakan, Palawanis, Pullon Mapun, Kalibugan, Molbug , Sangil, Badjao and Kalagan In 13th Century, the people in the South had already Islamized and established their governance through Sultanate System Moro leaders.. B. Colonial Experience

• Intensive war against Moro and IP people ( 333 years of Spaniards, 48 years for the American period, almost 10 years for Japanese regime and continue experiencing war up to date; • Rich culture has been challenged by new foreign culture; • Implanted the negative image of Moro through text book etc. • Divide & rule were instilled in the Moro communities; • Land grabbing, settlement and establishment of big corporations) • Policy of attraction was introduced through secular educational system but neglected the Arabic schools etc.) After Philippine 1946 independence:

• Moro, IP and native christian people in Mindanao continue experiencing structural discrimination from central government

1. exploitation of land and resources 2. social inequity 3. less representation in the government 4. disregards the norms and traditional laws 5. tolerance on corruption, vote buying, rido etc. 6. massacre ( Jabidah), iliga and baracoda, 7. all out war, militarization, human rights issues 8. majority vs minority/ first class vs second clas 9. political and ideological differences Therefore:

• The century of wars against Moro people creates relational gap, promotes bias & prejudice and creates strained relationship among them and the majority people in the country; • The historical injustice and right for self governance are still an issue to be addressed in order for us to live in peace and prosperity. • In 1935, more than hundreds of Meranao datu’s sent a letter to the US President through Dansa l an declaration demanding for the exclusion of the 1946 Philippine independence. Dr. Corpus says:

“ Corpus believes that the Muslim in the South were forcibly incorporated into the common ” wealth and later to the Philippine Republic where they were box in… War had implanted to the Moro Areas

Some Government Intervention to address historical injustice that promote harmony and co-existence in Mindanao

• Signed the 1996 peace agreement between the Government and the Moro Nationa Liberation Front • Established University that serve as social laboratory to promote integration among Muslim and Christian settlers in Mindanao • Established the Office of the National Muslim Filipino Commission to serve Muslim populace (legal assistance, pilgrimage, ADR, halal industry etc) • Appointed some Muslim leaders in various government departments • Promotes Madrasah intergration through CHED • Established the Human Rights Board to compensate HR victims after Marcos Regime • Signed the IPRA law for the Indigenous people to protect their ancestral domain etc. • The security sectors adapted the cultural sensitivity and culture of peace training in thier areas of responsibilities • Approved the laws for the Muslim holidays in the Philippines • The government is open for Islamic Banking in the Philippines • Recognized the contribution of Moro leaders for Philippine Independence • The government pushed for the ratification and signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law as results of Government and MILF peace talks There are many challenges towards the promotion of tolerance, co-existence and harmony in Mindanao including the the existing of separate Moro secessionist like BIFF, Abusayaf, NPA and addressing the destruction of Islamic City of Marawi as a results of 2017 Siege brought by Structural Violence and Extreme Ideology

MARAWI BACKGROUND

• Home of 220,000 Inhabitants • 96 barangay • Conservative and homogenous • Center for economic, religious & educational capital in Lanao • Formerly know as Dansalan • Clannish and strong family ties • Rich culture and hospitable IMAGE OF MARAWI BEFORE • On May 23, 2017, the Islamic City of Marawi change its image and history. The conflict is the longest urban fighting in SEA. • The confrontation destroyed the peace, stability and normalcy of the people. Until now, 124,000 IDPs from GZ is still surviving Philippine Military troops from evacuation sites and home based areas. • The fighting create damages not only the physical facilities but also relationship among people and the gov't. • Huge resources from the government, International community and private sectors pour for humanitarian response and proposed rehabilitation in Marawi. Young Extremist Inspired ISIS Group • Worst, many issues of the IDPs had disregarded by the government for more than 2 years after the siege. Selected Major issues of Marawi IDPs

1. Decent Shelters for the unreached IDP families.

For almost 3 years, hundreds of families are still living in the tent and temporary structures (Madrasah etc). According to the data of Nov 2019: • Temporary Shelters: There are targeted 11 areas for 5,536 units but only 2,476 have been occupied. • Permanent Shelters: There are targeted 4, 110 units for permanent shelters but only 142 are occupied. 2. Fast Track Rehabilitation and access of the IDPs to their properties

- Almost 3-years after Marawi liberation, only debris management has been done by the government - Extracted already the UXO/IEDs - Full access of our properties is one way for psychosocial healing and moving forward - Restore the dignity of the IDPs - Right of the IDPs to demand tranparency and accountability - IDP centered and culturally sensitive - Compensation and financial supports to the damaged properties 3. Proper documentation of Missing and dead civilian

- The state obligation is to protect the people and their properties; - 51 hostages during Marawi siege recieved 200k each. Most are non Meranao. - Families of the civilian killed during the siege greatly affected emotionally. - The victims has the right to be recognized and respected as part of TJ towards healing & reconciliation. 4. Human Rights Issues Violated against the IDPs

• 5. Investigation of Marawi Siege for ways forward

Proportionate? Number of - Creation of 3rd Looting? detainees? Independent party to collate Abuses? the local experience and narratives (Before, during and after) the siege. Failure or + - of ML - Results shall serve as appreciation of intel? documents in aid of Conspirancy? legislation for the guarantee of non-occurence of violence Social, Who, how, - Uphold transparency and Political, and accountability why, where, Economic when Rights Government 27,000 Facilities families I → R 22 private S E schools L → A S T U I 44 traditional → O Madrasah and S learning school E H → I Businesses 7,000 S P Hospital houses Marawi CSOs approaches to promote harmony and tolerance

Mashwara and Targib on Islamic moderation had been performed in every evacuation sites and Masajid in partnership with religious leaders

Inter and intra faith dailogue with other religious groups/leaders to express symphaty and promote unity amidst the crisis Facilitate the extensive dialogue and peace conversation among IDP leaders to draw out thier issues and grievances

Various Community Based Assembly for Peace, Justice and Healing Process Peace Testimonies of the Religious & Traditional leaders to ease the emotion of the IDPs and mitigate the possible flare ups of the conflicts

Solidarity Events with Youth Leaders and emphasized the importance of peace and Tolerance based on Islam and Meranao Culture Empowering community and youth leaders in the documentation of human rights violation to address culture of silence Facilitate various Press Media Conference among Community leaders in airing their issues and conerns

Youth Appeal to the Government to stop the earial bomb and investigate the massive looting and HR issues Dialogue with local government and security sectors to adapt friendly checkpoints and respect cultural sensitivity

Lobbying at the National Line Agencies and Legislators for IDP laws and sharing the right information in the ground Solidarity with the families of the civilian victims known as missing and dead persons brought by the sige who cried for justice Assisted the un-reached IDP families mostly in the home based areas through livelihood, relief assistance and capacity building trainings Formation of Quick Response Team for the prevention of localize feuds through traditional justice system Some Recommendations are:

ASEAN/National Government:

1. Sharing best practices, framework, information, intellegence and capabilities among ASEAN member countries in monitoring and deradicalizing extremist group; 2. Establish human rights council to oversee the action taken of both militant and security sectors that anchore to international law; 3. The government must address the horizontal and vertical conflict confronted by the IDPs comrehensively and holistically; 4. Strong collaboration among taditional local mediators to prevent local violece and support one another for the recognization of indigenous mechanism for disputes resolution; 5. Pushing for the institutionalization of Islamic culture of peace module in the schools, madrasah and university as one way to promote tolerance and harmony among people. 6. Passage of the IDP law including the adaption of transitional justice to minimize the collateral damage during confrontation. 7. The government program must be inclusive and IDPs centered. Significant Post Marawi Response:

1, Fast track the Rehabilitation in Marawi with the participation of the victims and survivors of conflicts. 2. Strong involvement of BARMM government to Marawi recovery to promote check and balance. 3. Passage of compensation law as one way to support rebuilding of damaged properties and missing and dead persons. 4. Restoration of Masajid and Construction of Orphan Center to prevent the recruitment of extremist group. 5. Grievance desk is essential to lessen the burden of the IDPs. 6. Access of the IDPs to their properties in GZ without condition. 7. Dialogue and peace conversation for intra and interfaith in the vulnerable communities and school based areas to broaden the understanding of the youth on Islam; 8. Establish Peace center for the youth to teach the importance of culture, noble values among Meranao and Islamic values etc. 9. Government Transparency and Investigation for Marawi siege The Marawi crisis creates social rift, division, doom, suffering, biases, prejudice, hunger and impeding to socio-economic and spiritual developm ent among people not only Meranao but also to non-meranao populace militarization The problem of violent extremism could not be solved only by but it needs a comprehensive and holistic approach to address the issue of social justice and root causes of violent extremism both political an d institutional intervention for us to live peacefully that is free from fear and terror. Final Statements

What happen to Marawi is beyond our imagination. The consequences to the people is magnanimous. Activist says that “A war without limits is a war with out end”. Its implication is gravely affected the human rights. Thus, PVE must seen in different lenses. One of it is the important of Human rights. Human rights is not only violated by terrorism and repression but also by unfair economic and political structure that create huge inequalities. Therefore, Transitional Justice for Marawi victims and RSD is important to address inorder to move forward in the path of peace. S H U K R A N !!!