Monthly D I S P L A C E M E N T November 2015, Issue No. 22, Page 1 This publication aims to provide an overview of the protection environment of displacement incidents in Mindanao for each month. Displacement incidents were Dashboard collected with the support of Protection Cluster members in Mindanao. GPH/MILF PEACE PROCESS UPDATE BIFF-AFP HARASSMENT IN SHARIFF AGUAK,

The Congress resumed sessions on November 23 after they were According to military reports, about 30 heavily-armed members of called off due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) sum- the Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) tried but failed to mit. Congress has a self-imposed deadline on 16 December to pass overrun an Army detachment around four in the morning in the mu- the proposed bill for the Bangsamoro law. The Senate is optimistic nicipality of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao province on 13 November. that it can and the MILF leadership repeats it will continue to seek The rebel group used assault rifles and shoulder fired grenades in- peace, no matter what happens. Senator , the stigating retaliation from the AFP and returning fire until the BIFF, proponent of the revised substitute bill, assured the peace panels led by a named Commander, Abu Bin Laden, fled the area. The fire- that the major provisions of the original Bangsamoro Basic Law fight prompted the evacuation of about 30 families (estimated 150 (BBL) that were taken out will be reviewed again. The lack of a quor- persons). The displaced families returned home in the afternoon of um in the House has slowed or stopped the deliberations. Various that same day. civil society organizations (CSOs) in Mindanao urged the Office of the Ombudsman office to investigate the absences of lawmakers. TRI-BOUNDARY CONFLICT IN ESPERANZA, SULTAN KUDARAT

Approximately 520 families (estimated 2,600 persons) were forced CLAN WAR IN PIGCAWAYAN, NORTH COTABATO to flee their home in two separate incidents of displacement due to contending control over a 40-hectare land in the boundary munici- On 02 November, 293 families (1,465 persons) from Bu- palities of Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat province, and the municipali- ricain in Pigacawayan in North Cotabato province were displaced ties of (DAS) and Ampatuan in Maguindanao after clashes erupted between followers of the village chair against province. The conflict is between the Maguindanaon (Moro) and the an armed group who allegedly is connected with the Moro Islamic Ilonggo (Christian) communities. Liberation Front’s (MILF) 105th Base Command. Earlier that week, the village chair of Buricain had a meeting with the involved conflict- On 8 November 2015, the killing of three people triggered the dis- ing parties to help mediate the settlement of a long-standing dispute placement of 120 families (estimated 600 persons) from three sitios over control of an ancestral domain in the area. There had been a of Barangay Paitan, another killing took place in Sitio Manilong, Ba- series of killings between the groups that have caused the displace- rangay Banaba in DAS municipality of Maguindanao province, a ment of thousands of locals. People are returning but tension re- boundary area of Esperanza municipality. Two civilians were killed by mains in the community. the same armed group who attack Barangay Paitan in October. Around 400 families (estimated 2,000 persons) from barangays of CAMBUG, AL BARKA CLAN FEUD Banaba and Guinibon in DAS were displaced including Moros and Christians. The Maguindanaon families have sought refuge at the old On 11 November 2015, an armed encounter started between two municipal hall of DAS while the Ilonggo families are at the gymnasi- warring clans from Tipo Tipo municipality and Al-Barka municipality. um and barangay hall in Barangay Paitan. Others have sought shel- According to locals and NGO sources, a power struggle between two ter with host families. clans took place in Barangay Cambug, Al Barka municipality of Basi- lan province. The incident resulted in the displacement of around 75 families (estimated 450 persons). At least 13 houses in Baran- gay Cambug were damaged from rifle fire and livelihoods have been affected as people are afraid to be caught in crossfire. Because of the ongoing insecurity in their area, IDPs remain mobile as they go back to their homes during the day and return to their displaced location in the evening.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DISPLACED IN GIGAQUIT, SURIGAO DEL NORTE

Around 43 families (estimated 211 persons) from the indigenous tribe of Mamanwa have been forced to flee their homes on 13 November in the municipality of Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte province after they heard an exchange of gunfire between the Armed Forces of the Philip- pines (AFP) and the rebel group, the New Peoples’ Army (NPA). Local media reports that over the course of three weeks, gunshots and mor- The Mamanwa in Caraga region is one of the newly displaced groups of indigenous people in Mindanao this Novem- tars pounded the area. The displaced indigenous people from the area ber. The group has been seeking refuge in a host village for more than a month now after days of firefight between are afraid to return for fear that they will be caught in the conflict. the military and rebels has forced them to flee their homes. © MindaNews/Roel Catoto

DISCLAIMER The Monthly Mindanao Displacement Dashboard aims to provide a starting point for information and analysis that can help protection agencies, policy makers and other stakeholders concerning instances of forced displacement or solutions (repatriation, res ettlement, integration). The number of people displaced / affected may differ from the number in need of humanitarian assistance. To the extent possible, the terminology used in the D ashboard reflects the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and other sources of international law and practice. The information reported in the Monthly Mindanao Displacement Dashboard has been received from members of the Protection Cluster across Mindanao. Consequently, unreported cases of forced displacement and solutions are not reflected. Updates will be provided as and when more information is received from members. Although efforts are made to verify the data, the UNHCR Mindanao, takes no responsibility for the incompleteness or inaccuracy of the information. The information provided in this Monthly Mindanao Displacement Dashboard does not necessarily reflect the views of UNHCR or any individual member of the Protection Cluster. UNHCR Mindanao, Philippines I Rosary Heights 6 , , Philippines I +63 (64) 421 7945 I [email protected] I www.unhcr.ph Monthly Mindanao D I S P L A C E M E N T November 2015, Issue No. 22, Page 2 This publication aims to provide an overview of the protection environment of displacement incidents in Mindanao for each month. Displacement incidents were Dashboard collected with the support of Protection Cluster members in Mindanao. ZAMBOANGA PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT will enable a solution where IDP families are close to their livelihood, schools and health facilities. Construction is progressing but monitor- The Zamboanga City authorities, together with the national govern- ing and continued support to enable the relocation of thousands of ment, have established the Early Recovery Coordination structure IDPs from Mampang transitory site with few services and livelihood (ERC) which aims to ensure a coordinated and coherent response for opportunities. Water and sanitation will also be difficult to engineer in the Zamboanga Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R). Kasanyangan but essential for this developing community.

However, twenty-seven (27) months since the conflict in September Progress is being made towards durable solutions but serious protec- 2013, the most vulnerable, landless displaced population remains tion concerns still exist for those IDP families still living without a per- without a durable solution. Most of the affected population (some manent shelter and not able to pursue a livelihood. Improvements on 21,338 people) remains displaced from their homes. More than construction in many locations and the provision of water and sanita- 13,500 people, mainly from the Moro ethnic groups and indigenous tion are needed in many locations, also in Mariki and Buggoc to sup- groups, remain displaced in the transitory sites while over 7,500 peo- port the “Build Back Better” goal of the Z3R. The islands of Leyag- ple are still residing in host communities. Kasanyangan, the main gov- leyag, Leha-Leha and Sumariki are being revitalized as support is be- ernment identified site for permanent housing for over 3,000 families ing provided for reconstruction and the restarting of livelihoods.

CABANGLASAN, BUKIDNON, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DISPLACEMENT MARAGUSAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY AFP VS NPA CONFLICT

The killing of a peasant and wounding of two minors in Barangay On 20 November, an encounter between NPA and the 28th Infantry Canangaan in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on October 27 allegedly perpe- Battalion of the AFP took place in the mountainous part of sitio trated by members of a paramilitary group called the Magahat Alama- ra has sowed fear among the indigenous community. This persistent Sapawan, Barangay New Albay, Maragusan, Compostela Valley. The atmosphere of tension and fear has ultimately caused the displace- firefight and AFP pursuit operations resulted in the displacement of ment of 67 families (299 individuals) from the neighboring sitio of 184 families (approximately 663 persons). Community Monitoring Balaudo and Kinuaw to flee to Sitio Mahayag of barangay St. Peter in Volunteers (CMVs) organized by local NGO, SILDAP, reported that an- Malaybalay City on 24 November. The displaced IPs continue to fear other firefight started on 21 November in the same barangay. No cas- that paramilitary groups are in their village and in the boundaries of ualties were reported from both sides. The displaced families tempo- Bukidnon and Agusan Del Sur (the Pantaron Range) to which they rarily stayed in barangay New Albay Elementary School and occupied believe this armed group has merged with the Alamara group led by a 13 classrooms. The local government of Maragusan responded and known De La Mance brothers based in barangay Freedom of Cabang- provided food assistance and hygiene kits. The municipal authorities lasan, Bukidnon. also provided food assistance and non-food items. , MAGUINDANAO AFP VS MNLF ARMED MANGAYON, COMPOSTELA VALLEY, AFP ENCAMPMENT ENCOUNTER

An AFP encampment in a village in the province of Compostela Valley On 21 November, a firefight between the AFP and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) caused the displacement of 68 families forced about 50 indigenous people (IPs)/families (estimated 200 indi- (estimated 281 persons) from Barangay Bungabong, Sultan Mastura viduals) out of their homes and fled to the municipal gymnasium on 28 in Maguindanao. On 22 November, the local government unit of Sul- November. The Lumad school and community in the place known as tan Mastura facilitated the return of IDPs to their places of origin after Side 4, Barangay Mangayon in the municipality of Compostela has the AFP cleared and retained control of the area. turned into a camp for a platoon of soldiers since 23 November. The Save Our Schools (SOS) Network, assisted by the Rural Missionaries of PALIMBANG, SULTAN KUDARAT, AFP VS AKP ARMED CONFLICT the Philippines and MISFI Academy, launched a fact-finding mission,

Pursuit operations of the Philippine Marines (AFP) against members of which reported that 30 armed soldiers from the ’s 66th the Ansar Khilafah Philippines (AKP) have caused the displacement of Infantry Battalion of the 101st Brigade have been occupying houses in 50 families (estimated 250 persons) from the village of Butril in front of the Salugpongan Learning Center. The SOS joined farmers’ Palimbang municipality Sultan Kudarat province. On 26 November, groups Compostela Farmers Association (CFA) and Kilusang Mag- government troops clashed with the AKP where 8 members of the bubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in confronting the ground commander of armed group were killed. According to the police, the AKP, which pres- the AFP unit to ask them to leave the area. The AFP has refused the ently has 40 members, is led by a certain Mohammad Jafar Maguid alias Commander Tokboy, allegedly a former commander of the Moro requests and as of end November remains encamped in the communi- Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 105th Base Command. ty.

DISCLAIMER The Monthly Mindanao Displacement Dashboard aims to provide a starting point for information and analysis that can help protection agencies, policy makers and other stakeholders concerning instances of forced displacement or solutions (repatriation, res ettlement, integration). The number of people displaced / affected may differ from the number in need of humanitarian assistance. To the extent possible, the terminology used in the D ashboard reflects the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and other sources of international law and practice. The information reported in the Monthly Mindanao Displacement Dashboard has been received from members of the Protection Cluster across Mindanao. Consequently, unreported cases of forced displacement and solutions are not reflected. Updates will be provided as and when more information is received from members. Although efforts are made to verify the data, the UNHCR Mindanao, Philippines takes no responsibility for the incompleteness or inaccuracy of the information. The information provided in this Monthly Mindanao Displacement Dashboard does not necessarily reflect the views of UNHCR or any individual member of the Protection Cluster.

UNHCR Mindanao, Philippines I Rosary Heights 6 , Cotabato City, Philippines I +63 (64) 421 7945 I [email protected] I www.unhcr.ph MONTHLY DISPLACEMENT DASHBOARD NOVEMBER 2015, ISSUE NO. 22 The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement note that “internally displaced persons are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border.” Durable Solutions - UNHCR with Protection Cluster members continue to identify XIII communities that are subjected to protracted displacement over the course of the year to AFP VS NPA ARMED CONFLICT 4 IN GIGAQUIT 4,300 ensure all IDPs are identified and the appropriate attention and resources can be DINAGAT 4,300 | 0 DISPLACEMENT 100% ISLANDS PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT obtained to support finding a durable solution to their displacement. 9 IN CABANGLASAN 211 0

0% 0 0% CURRENT NUMBER OF IDPS IN NEED OF DURABLE SOLUTION 299 % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED 0 211 POPULATION CLAN FEUD IN 100% AFP VS NPA ARMED CONFLICT TOTAL NO. OF PERSONS WHO ARE % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED PIGCAWAYAN POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED 6 IN MARAGUSAN 1 299 POPULATION PRESENTLY DISPLACED IN MINDANAO SURIGAO 31% DEL NORTE 100% 164,030 SINCE 2012 - NOVEMBER 2015 1465 GIGA QUIT 663

presently displaced due to 663 0% 455 69% X % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED ARMED CONFLICT % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED 61,496 POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED POPULATION 1,010 POPULATION 8,344 CAMIGUIN 0 presently displaced due to 8,344 | 0 102,534 NATURAL DISASTER PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT 0 SURIGAO AGUSAN DEL SUR CLARIFICATIONS AFP VS MNLF ARMED CONFLICT DEL NORTE 7 IN SULTAN MASTURA MISAMIS REGION ORIENTAL 100% Typhoon Pablo displacement - A large number of IDPs remain displaced from Typhoon Pablo in December 2012 in 281 XIII AFP ENCAMPMENT Eastern Mindanao, Region XI who are still in need of a durable solution. Many of these families remain in 8 IN COMPOSTELA temporary shelters where local authorities have been slowly obtaining access to land and constructing permanent 281 0% AGUSAN 0% housing for these IDPs. As of October 2015, there are still an estimated 76,379 IDPs in need of a durable solution in this MISAMIS DEL SUR % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED REGION X 200 region. POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED OCCIDENTAL 0 POPULATION

CITY OF 0 100% Forced Returns from Sabah - Filipino nationals continue to be forcibly returned from Sabah, Malaysia to the Island MALAYBA LAY % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED IX LANAO BUKIDNON POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED province, Tawi-Tawi and to Zamboanga City. After the standoff between the Royal Army of and the Malaysian ZAMBOANGA 200 POPULATION Security Forces in March 2013, a large number of Filipinos living and working in Sabah are arrested, detained and forcibly DEL NORTE DEL ZAMBOANGA NORTE returned to the Philippines. Reports obtained from the ARMM DSWD describe that each week hundreds of individuals, 24,935 DEL SUR many separated from their families living in Sabah, are forced to depart Sabah by boat and arrive in Tawi-Tawi or 24,935 | 0 REGION IX LANAO Zamboanga. While there are no exact figures of the number of persons arriving at this time, it is estimated that over ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT SIBUGAY 50,000 persons have been forcibly returned to the Philippines since March 2013. According to the DSWD, many of these DAVAO DEL COM POSTELA individuals are vulnerable and are in need of assistance and many more immediately return to Sabah where their families 24,935 NORTE reside and where they have found employment. The bulk of presently REGION XI displaced persons is due to MARA GUSAN armed conflict between AFP PIGKAWAYA N (SAN MA RIANO) NUMBER OF INCIDENTS CAUSING DISPLACEMENT IN 2015 SULTAN NORTH COMPOSTELA vs MNLF in September 2013 MASTURA COTABATO VALLEY COTABATO TOTAL IN NOVEMBER 2015 TOTAL SINCE JAN 2015 CITY ARMM DAVAO The bulk of presently INCIDENTS DISPLACEMENT INCIDENTS DISPLACEMENT ORIENTAL (persons) (persons) displaced persons is due 11,324 ARMM to Typhoon Bopha (Pablo). 10,140 SHARIFF ARMED CONFLICT Forced returnees arrived in Zamboanga 13,324 | 0 MAGUINDANAO AGUAK 6,569 59 267,312 (MAGANOY ) 10 PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT incidents with displacement city from Sabah since January 2015 DATU ABDULLAH 8,774 SANGKI NATURAL DISASTER ESPERANZA XI incidents with displacement 0 0 14 100,946 CITY OF ISABELA SULTAN AL-BA RKA DAVAO KUDARAT DEL SUR 77,977 PALIMBA NG REGION 1,158 | 76,819 (see details in boxes) AFP VS BIFF ARMED CONFLICT DISPLACEMENT MOVEMENT IN NOVEMBER 2015 XII PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT 5 IN SHARIFF AGUAK SOUTH COTABATO 100% 76,379 TOTAL DISPLACEMENT 150 SARANGANI IN NOVEMBER 2015 6,569 SULU 0 0%

ESTIMATE NUMBER OF % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED PERSONS WHO HAVE 150 POPULATION RETURNED 4,549 XII IDPs IN NOVEMER IN NEED OF DURABLE SOLUTIONS 2,020 CLAN FEUD IN 9,126 3 AL-BARKA 37,150 AFP VS AKP CONFLICT Forced returnees arrived in Tawi-Tawi TRI BOUNDARY CONFLICT 10 IN PALIMBANG 0% 11,435 | 25,715 TAWI-TAWI from Sabah since January 2015 IN ESPERANZA 450 2 0% LEGEND PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT 2% 299 450 100% 2,600 4,465

% OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED 0 100% POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED 0 POPULATION 2,550 98% % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED POPULATION % OF RETURN AND PRESENTLY DISPLACED 299 POPULATION TO THE TOTAL DISPLACED TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL ARMED NATURAL INCREASE / DECREASE REGIONAL 50 POPULATION DISPLACEMENT RETURN PRESENTLY CONFLICT DISASTER IN IDP MOVEMENT COMPARED BOUNDARY DISPLACED TO PREVIOUS MONTH

SOURCES: Protection Cluster Mindanao CREATION DATE: 18 December 2015 FEEDBACK: [email protected] DISCLAIMER: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.