Sinagtala
ISYU 3 OCTOBER 2019
Persistence of resistance
Mindanao has witnessed the harshest faces of conflict and violence. Thousands of people remain displaced, their lives uprooted, while the shadows of fear and anxiety linger. However, in the cracks and gaps blooms new hope. Our society has been collectively surviving violence in all its forms. Violence is widespread poverty, the lack of opportunities and representation, and the continued injustices and marginalization. It is in the 35,000 killed in the bloody campaign against illegal drugs and the unceasing displacements brought by armed conflict in parts of the Philippines. We see it in the killings of farmers who are fighting for their right to own land and in the internally-displaced persons left without livelihood and homes. Those who have grown to know only violence and survive its repercussions are more certainly bound to follow the same path. We must understand that violence against cultures, communities, and the self are the main drivers why people also opt to take up arms. The roots of extremism and violence may run deep in our society, but it is not the only path paved for us. As people, we can affect changes and realize these in a way that is familiar and relevant for us.
A study by the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict found that 70 per cent of nonviolent campaigns all over the world have succeeded, five times the success rate of violent campaigns. This shows that nonviolence works better than violence and leads to longer term, sustainable reforms.
Mahatma Gandhi, who led the non-violent movement for India’s independence, said that “in the midst of death, life persists, in the midst of untruth, truth persists, in the midst of darkness, light persists.� We are not bound by the harsh environment that we live in. The youth are offered limitless choices, paths, and weapons to realize the changes they want to see in the world. All over the Philippines, they are the leading voices against injustice, marginalization, and impunity. The Let Us Go Home Movement of Marawi have used social media and video production, coupled with mass demonstrations to make their voices heard. This is also offered by youth activist groups in Luzon and Visayas who self-publish zines, organize poetry readings, and use visual arts as protest.
The youth of today is brewing a far stronger, far effective movement through non-violent means. They understand that we have the right to dream and experience a much better world. A world where children can play without fear. A world where communities live with dignity. Resistance remains persistent because this world is still far from reach. As an act of solidarity, we can choose to write, to draw, to speak, or even to take up arms. These are our choices and we all have the right to choose. Remember, however, that it is in our hands if we are to break the cycle of violence or only to keep the wheel turning.
Sinagtala
Messaging Hubs for peace launched in 2 Minda cities
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News Oct. 2019
Val Amiel Vestil
To promote peace and respond to the alarming instances of violent extremism in Mindanao, a regional hub that aims to be an online and offline platform for positive messages and alternative narratives was launched in two satellite areas this month. The Kutawato Messaging Hub (MH) Access International-Philippines’ (EAIwas launched at The Moropreneur Inc., PH) Country Director Salic Sharief, Jr. During both launches, highlights of Cotabato City on September 20, while the SOX (Soccsksargen) MH was launched at the planning workshop and road map for the Mindanao State University - General the next three years were presented, and Santos City (MSU-GSC), as part of the the official MH marker was unveiled. MSU-GSC will serve as the SOX National Peace Month and International Peace Day celebration on September 25. MH’s host organization while TMI, Inc. is The Messaging Hub is a convergence Kutawato MH’s host organization. MSU-GSC is a state university based platform for positive social change movements in Mindanao. It seeks to in General Santos City, South Cotabato, collaborate with stakeholders in the Philippines, considered to be the only region to create a venue for knowledge- state university in the country with a sharing, build an information ecosystem, special mandate of integrating cultural capacitate peace influencers, and create communities in Mindanao into its academic framework. powerful advocacies for peace. Meanwhile, TMI Inc. is a non“We at EAI-PH believe that there is strength in our diversity and if we all profit organization that provides come together as partners in peace, comprehensive capacity building and we can build community resilience, empowerment programs to tri-people collaboration on program interventions, (Bangsamoro, IPs and settlers). “Why are we pushing for the and share best practices,” said Equal
COMMUNICATING PEACE. General Santos City Messaging Hub launching and MOU signing at the National Peace Month Celebration at MSU-GenSan Campus Gymnasium. Photo from Equal Access International-Philippines.
messaging hub? To have a safe space for every one of us--for every concerned citizen whether Bangsamoro, IP, or settler--to share their thoughts and opinions on how to solve problems,” said TMI Executive Director Selahuddin Yu Hashim.
The messaging hubs are aimed to bring together partners from EAI-PH’s Formative Research, Stakeholder’s Workshop, and the graduates of the program’s Tech Camps to collaborate to expand their advocacies and works for peace and development in Mindanao.
Mindanao Peace Forum, pinangunahan ng CDO Rotary Club Jerico Daracan
SALUTE TO THE EDUCATORS. More than 150 teachers from 22 public schools in Lanao del Sur participated in Guro Aken - Ginawai Ko a Mala i Gagaw Ago Sambatan Ko Kalbayan, a training for educators on the importance of civil registration and legal identity in areas affected by armed conflict. Photos by Raizza Bello and Hannah Nera.
Pinangunahan ng Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) East Urban and Eisenhower Fellows Association of the Philippines ang "Mindanao Peace Forum" na ginanap noong ika-27 ng Setyembre kaugnay ng pagdiriwang ng International Day of Peace. Sa harap ng mahigit 200 Hinikayat naman ni Ewin Toh, dating dumalo na mga propesyonal, lider- pangulo ng Zamboanga Chamber of estudyante, rotarians, at pinunong Commerce, ang mga negosyante na lokal, ipinahayag ni Dufel M. Lagrosas, mamuhunan para sa kapayaan. district chairman for Peacebuilding "We have to take a risk. Help bring and Conflict Prevention ng CDO Rotary peace in Mindanao through economic Club, ang pagpapatuloy ng kanilang development," wika ni Toh. kontribusyon sa kolektibong aksyon Nagbalik tanaw si Toh sa naganap upang palaganapin ang kaayusan at na Zamboanga Siege noong 2013 kung kapayapaan sa bansa. saan naharap sa malaking pagsubok “The peace problem is man-made. ang buong komunidad at komersyo. Therefore, it can be solved by man. Hinikayat niya ang mga negosyante na Enough of war and oppression,” ani maging matatag. Lagrosas. Para naman kay CDO Mayor Oscar Ibinahagi niya na ang kanilang mga Moreno, lahat ay dapat maging bahagi miyembro raw ay nagbibigay ng pondo ng pagsisikap na mapanatili ang sa mga sentrong pangkapayapaan kapayapaan. upang suportahan ang kanilang “Not just a village, not just a mga hakbangin sa paghahatid ng community, the requirement must be kapayapaan. deeper and wider,” ani Moreno.
News Oct. 2019
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Sinagtala
Decommissioning ng combatants, simbolo ng sinseridad at determinasyon ng pamunuan ng MILF para sa peace process
Sittie Almirah Kadir Pitong buwan makalipas nang maratipikahan ang Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) ay isinagawa ang ikalawang yugto ng decommissioning ng mga miyembro ng MILF-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) noong Setyember 7 sa Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol, Maguindanao. “Ang pagdedekomisyon sa Moro kanilang mga armas ang ma-dekomisyon. Islamic Liberation Front o MILF Ayon kay Murad, ang bawat combatants ay hindi tanda ng pagsuko madedekomisyon na MILF combatant sa kung ano ang kanilang ipinaglalaban ay makakatanggap ng socio-economic bagkus ito ay pagpapakita ng sinsiredad package at ibibigay ito sa pamamagitan at pag-sunod sa peace agreement sa ng cash assisstance na nagkakahalaga pagitan ng MILF at ng pamahalaan,” giit ng Php 100,000, scholarships, livelihood, ni Bangsamoro Autonomous Region at housing. in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief “Ang layunin ay hindi lamang para Minister AL Haj Ahod Murad Ebrahim sa makatanggap ang mga combatants ng kanyang talumpati. pera, pero ito rin ay isang hakbang upang Tinatayang 1,060 miyembro ng MILF- maibalik sila sa pagiging sibilyan patungo BIAF at 920 na armas ang kasama sa sa pagkakaroon ng mas magandang ikalawang decommissioning na ito. buhay” ani BARMM Spokesperson at Ang MILF ay mayroong 40,000 na Ministry Interior and Local Government combatants at 7,000 na mga armas, at (MILG) Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo para sa second phase, 12,000 sa kanila sa isang media forum. at 2,100 sa kanilang mga armas ang Samantala, dumalo din si Pangulong madedekomisyon. Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa nasabing Ang unang yugto ay naganap seremonya at nagbigay din ng kanyang noong 2015 sa ilalim ni Presidente talumpati. Ayon sa kanya, hindi dapat Benigno Aguino III, kung saan 145 MILF malungkot ang MILF combatants na combatants, 20 crew-served weapons, ibinigay nila ang kanilang mga armas. at 55 high-powered firearms ang Payo niya na gamitin sa tama at ayos ang nadekomisyon. ibibigay na tulong pinansyal ng gobyerno Nakasaad sa Four-Phase Annex on sa kanila. Normalization of the Comprehensive Inaasahan naman na maisasagawa Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) na ang pagdedekomisyon sa natitirang nilagdan sa pagitan ng MILF at gobyerno MILF combatants sa second phase sa ng Pilipinas noong 2014, kailangan ay walo pang lugar sa Mindanao hanggang nasa 30 per cent na MILF combatants at Marso o Abril sa susunod na taon.
TWO YEARS ON. St. Mary’s Cathedral is smack dab in the heart of Ground Zero in Marawi City. It is one of the many structures and homes destroyed during the siege in 2017. Photo by Raizza Bello.
PEACE IS POSSIBLE. Featured are some of the peace commitments shared by EAI-PH partners. Photos from Equal Access International Philippines.
EAI-PH, partners participate in global campaign for Int’l Peace Day Equal Access International - Philippines Communications Unit
Communities and organizations joined the week-long “Peace Day Challenge” of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in solidarity with the International Day of Peace last September 21. Equal Access International reality of their current situation and Philippines together with various preventing negative perceptions stakeholders, alumni, staff, and partners between cultural and religious expressed their peace commitments on difference in spite of the ugly reality of peace placards and shared photos of discrimination on them,” he captioned their peace actions that they have done in his photo. or are currently doing. The PeaceDayChallenge is a global Among the peace commitments that campaign of the USIP in celebration of made its way through USIP’s worldwide the International Day of Peace. It exists mosaic is that from OurMindaNOW Tech to raise the profile of the international Camp Batch 2 alumnus Jamie Salva. celebration and to affirm peace as a real Salva reached out to children in alternative to the violence we see every IDP communities and bridged bridged day in the news. benefactors for future endeavors with Part of the campaign was the sharing them. of different simple acts of peace and “Majority of these children and kindness. Among them were learning youth are illiterate, marginalized, about a peacebuilder, speaking up and discriminated by society. So we against intolerance, helping resolve conducted discussions on countering a disagreement, sharing a meal with negative perceptions. First, instilling someone new, and volunteering to help hope in their hearts despite the cruel someone in need.
PAGLAYAG TUNGO SA PAGKILALA Raizza Bello
Maliit pa lamang siya, pagkauwi galing paaralan o kapag walang magawa, tinitipon niya ang mga anak ng kapitbahay para magbahagi ng mga simpleng leksyon at mabuting asal. Paglalarawan niya, mga magsasaka’t mangingisda ang mga magulang ng mga bata kaya’t pinipili na lamang nilang tumulong maghanap-buhay kaysa sa mag-aral. Eto si Dechelle Escamillan, ipinanganak at ipinalaki sa isla ng Siargao, Surigao del Norte. Sa loob ng maraming taon ng kanyang kabataan, siya’y nabuhay sa pamilyar hanggang sa pinapunta siya sa Marawi ng kanyang ina upang mag-aral. Ngayon, ang 20-taong gulang na Kristiyanong kolehiyala ay aktibong nag-vovolunteer sa iba’t ibang gawaing pangkapayapaan sa pook at siya’y nasa ikatlong taon na ng kanyang kursong Bachelor of Science in Tourism sa Mindanao State University - Main Campus. “Minsan nagwowonder ka. Bakit ko ba ginagawa ‘to (volunteer work)? Ano bang magiging benefit nito sa ‘kin? Tsaka ang layo-layo nito sa kurso ko,” batid ni Dechelle.
PAGLALAYAG AT PAGKILALA. Si Dechelle ay lumaki sa isla ng Siargao, Surigao del Norte ngunit naglayag upang mag-aral sa MSU-Marawi. Dito niya nakilala ang kanyang sarili at ang pagnanais niyang tumulong sa kanyang kapwa.
Unang napagtibay ang paniniwala at dedikasyon ni Dechelle sa mundo ng pagtulong noong kasagsagan ng 2017 Marawi siege. Natatanging estudyanteng boluntaryo, siya’y naglakas-loob sumama sa militar at mga pulis upang magbigay-tulong sa mga biktimang naipit ng giyera. Pagbabalik-tanaw ni Dechelle, “Imagine nakasakay ka ng patrol car. Lahat ng kasama mo naka-uniporme ng pang-militar or pang-PNP (Philippine National Police). Lahat naka-helmet. Ikaw, kahit naka-white t-shirt ka lang, naka-pants, wala ka pang helmet.” “So, nu’ng time na ‘yun, sila may mga bulletproof vests pa, ako wala. So sabi ko, tigok ako nito kapag matamaan ako ng bala,” dagdag niya. Ngunit, sa kabila ng kanyang
PUSO PARA SA KAPWA. Sa kabila ng kanyang mga takot, ipinagpapatuloy parin ni Dechelle ang pag-boluntaryo. Para sa kanya, mas malaki ang hamon ng pagtulong sa komunidad kaysa sa mga personal niyang takot.
takot, nagpasya siyang magpatuloy sa pagiging boluntaryo dahil nakita niya ang kasiyahang naidudulot ng pagtulong sa kapwa. Kaya nang ginusto ng kanyang ina na lumipat siya ng paaralan, siya’y tumutol at nagtrabaho upang makaipon at makabalik sa unibersidad. Mula noon, nagtuluy-tuloy na si Dechelle sa adbokasiyang pangkapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng bolunterismo, edukasyon at paghikayat sa mga kabataan. Naging miyembro siya ng Philippine National Police Student Action Force, isang organisasyong nagsasagawa ng mga programang pangedukasyon at pangkalusugan sa mga komunidad na apektado ng armadong bakbakan. Diin niya, “You can’t kill ideology with a bullet. You can only kill it with a better idea through education.”. Higit pa rito, si Dechelle ay isa ng nangungunang tagapagpahayag na hindi tama ang mga paunang panghuhusga na idinidikit sa mga Muslim. Para sa kanya, hindi hadlang ang pagkakaiba sa kultura o relihiyon upang maabot ang inaasam na kapayapaan sa Marawi at kung saan man. Bilang isang taong natutong lumabas
“Peace means you understand (each other), you learn from each other, you love each other, and you care for each other. You cannot just say peaceful ang isang community dahil walang putukan.” sa kanyang nakagisnan na komunidad, idineklara ni Dechelle “Peace means you understand (each other), you learn from each other, you love each other, and you care for each other. You cannot just say peaceful ang isang community dahil walang putukan.”
MAG-ULAT MAGMULAT Diane Lim
Para kay Alliah Czarielle Mantawil, walang iisang kahulugan ang kapayapaan. Nagbabago-bago raw ang kahulugan ng kapayapaan kung kaya’t kailangan na lahat ay may puspusang pag-intindi at pag-unawa sa bawat isa. Marahil ang paniniwalang ito ay dahil mag-aaral siya ng Development Communications sa University of Southern Mindanao sa Cotabato o dahil personal niyang adbokasiya ang self-expression. Lahat tayo ay may kwento at nais ni Alliah na marinig at ilahad ang mga kwentong ito. Mas napaigting ang paniniwala niyang ito dahil sa pagsali niya sa Up2YouthTechCamp ng Equal Access International Philippines. Dito niya nakasama at nakilala ang marami pang mga cultural communities sa Mindanao na may iba’t-ibang paniniwala at iba’tibang depinisyon ng kapayapaan. Limang araw niyang nakasama at narinig ang mga kwento ng mga kapwa niya kabataan. Ani niya, mayroon siyang kasamang Maranao na ang dahilan ng pagsali sa Tech Camp ay dahil sa karanasan nila noong Marawi Siege at ang personal na paggawa ng mga pagbabago na nais niya matapos ang giyera.
Dito niya narinig ang maraming ranas ng mga kabataan at komunidad na iba’t iba man ang mukha, ngunit pareho ang ranas sa kanya. “Hindi ko personal na naranasan
Dito niya narinig ang maraming ranas ng mga kabataan at komunidad -- iba’t iba man ang mukha, ngunit pareho ang ranas sa kanya. yung giyera. Pero naging biktima ako ng diskriminasyon lalo na sa mga kaibigan ko,” ani Alliah. Palabiro niyang sinasabi na ang pamilya niya ay walang permanenteng address. Mula noong bata pa siya ay nagpapalipat-lipat na sila sa iba’t-ibang parte ng Cotabato. Noong siya ay Grade 4, lumipat ang kanyang pamilya sa South Cotabato kung saan siya nagsimulang makaranas ng diskriminasyon. Dahil daw madalas ang giyera sa
lungsod, binibiro siya ng mga kaklase niya na isa siyang terorista dahil siya ay Muslim. Hindi niya ito alintana noon dahil akala niya ay siya lang ang nakararanas ng ganun. Ngunit noong hinikayat siya ng kanyang guro na sumali sa kanilang school publication, mas lumawak ang kanyang kaalaman sa isyu ng kapwa niya Muslim at ang pagtingin sa kanila ng ibang tao. “Naging editorial writer ako kaya nahilig ako sa pagbabasa rin ng dyaryo. Dito ko nakita kung gaano ka-negatibo ang imahe ng Cotabato dahil ang tanging laman lang ng balita ay yung mga giyera na nangyayari,” kwento ni Alliah. Napagtanto niya na nais niyang maging journalist upang mailahad ng maayos at may dignidad ang tunay na kwento ng Mindanao. Ito rin ang pundasyon ng adbokasiya niya bilang peace hero. Nakikita ni Alliah na, “lahat tayo we want peace, we really need peace. Ang sabi nga nila, peace is a concept of friendship without violence.” Ito raw ang mga kwento na nais niyang ipamahagi -- mga kwentong naguugat sa pagkakaibigan, nag-uugat sa kapayapaan. “Cotabato is not a city of bombs
and bullets,” dagdag niya. Dito raw ang lugar kung saan ang iba’t-ibang kultura ay nagkakaisa at ito ang dapat na ipinapakita sa mas malawak na hanay ng mambabasa at manonood. Hinihimok niya ang kabataan sa kanilang komunidad na maging peace heroes rin. Para sa kanya, ang kapwa niya kabataan ngayon ay “eager, passionate, at dedikado.” Ika niya na maaaring simulan ang pagbabago sa pagbawas sa sobrang paggamit ng Facebook dahil dumaragdag ito sa conflict lalo na kapag walang konteksto ang mga rants. Kung may hindi pagkakaintindihan, ang tanging solusyon ay ang paguusap at ang pakikinig ng walang bahid ng hidwaan. Ito ang unang bato na maari nating ilagay para sa mas matibay na pundasyon ng isang mapayapang komunidad. Sabi nga ni Alliah, “kung hindi natin sisimulan sa mga sarili natin, sino pa ang gagawa?”
Sinagtala
Sa aking murang isipan Ako'y namulat sa karahasan Karahasan nagbibigay lungkot Sa aking Inang Bayan Tao'y sadyang mapagkunwari Lahat ay gagawin Makuha ang inaasam na kapangyarihan Kahit magdusa ang taong bayan Kaguluhan sa Mindanao Labanan walang patutunguhan Ilang dekadang nagdaan Sadyang mapait na karanasan Insureksyon sa aking bayan Patuloy sa kabayanan Ideyolohiyang pumapatay ng kinabukasan Sadyang 'di mapigilan
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Special Oct. 2019
Kapayapaan Bai Nhorjannah Ali
Politikong nagbabangayan Mapansin ng taong bayan Nagsisiraan makuha ang kapangyarihan Magbibigay proteksyon sa sariling kapakanan Sa patuloy na hidwaan Tao'y nalilito Kailan matatamo ang kapayapaan Magbibigay kaginhawaan sa taong bayan Sa pag-ikot ng mundo Sa taon na magdadaan Ako'y nangangarap Kapayapaan sa aking Inang Bayan
SIPAT, SINING
HAWAK ANG LIGAYA. Patuloy na ngumingiti ang mga batang bakwit sa Al-Markazieh Temporary Shelters. Minsan ay ginagamit nila ang mga lata mula sa relief goods para makapaglaro ng tumbang preso. Madalas naman ay ginagawa nilang pisara ang mga plywood na haligi ng kanilang tahanan. Ngunit sa likod ng mga ngiti ay ang kawalan ng kabuhayan at kakulangan sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng kanilang mga pamilya. Mga kuha ni Mikhaela Dimpas.
Sinagtala EDITORIAL BOARD
Mikhaela Dimpas Editor-in-Chief Diane Lim. Raizza Bello Managing Editors Mikhaela Dimpas Layout Director Patricia Leuterio Graphics Naimah Abdulrahman. Sittie Kadir Researchers Bladimer Usi Editorial Cartoonist
Mikhaela Dimpas. Raizza Bello. Equal Access International - Philippines. Photos Bai Nhorjannah Ali. Val Amiel Vestil. Raizza Bello. Diane Lim. Sittie Almirah Kadir. Jerico Daracan. Writers Sinagtala is the official newsletter of the Muslim Youth Voices for Peace Project. It is produced by IDEALS Inc. in partnership with Equal Access International Philippines.
Special Oct. 2019
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Sinagtala
IDENTITY FOR ALL. At least 300 students, teachers, and members of parent-teacher’s association of Sikap Elementary School receive their school IDs for free.
School children in Marawi and Maguindanao receive free ID cards Mikhaela Dimpas
At least 10,000 school children in Mindanao are set to receive free school ID cards as part of an organization’s protection work to strengthen the right to legal identity of those most vulnerable to armed conflict. The Department of Education of Marawi and Maguindanao has partnered with the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) to provide free school IDs to children from Grade 1 to Senior High School. “The Marawi Siege and the countless displacements in Maguindanao underscore the pressing need for legal identity. The more they are without identification documents, the more they are disenfranchised from access to benefits and claims,” said Area Coordinator Marco Bayadog of IDEALS. “This affects children the most because these are barriers to their right to dream.” At least 300 teachers, school staff, parents, and learners from Sikap Elementary School in Marawi City received their IDs last August 2019. Procuring ID cards are Phi Macapando, teacher from Sikap Elementary School, shared that their students find it difficult to get their old school IDs because of the lack of financial means. “Mere P20 (USD 0.5) is
already difficult to acquire, what more if we collect P70 (USD 1.50) per ID,” she added. “Now, wherever the students go, they have their identity.” ID cards, however, offer more than just practical benefits. For Alaminah Samad, 12, this is her stepping stone to becoming a future teacher because it can help her apply for scholarships to get a decent education. IDEALS, in partnership with the Local Civil Registrar of Marawi and Maguindanao, is also conducting free birth registration and free birth certificates to communiities. Bai Honney Unas Kalon, LCR of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, expressed that these kinds of interventions can contribute to the vision and aspirations in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “The people are slowly realizing and reaching their vision and dreams. Back then, they fear that nothing will come out of their education, but now their fear is gone,” said Kalon. IDEALS is a non-government organization organized to address the legal and technical needs of the marginalized, disempowered, and vulnerable groups. They have been working in Mindanao since 2017.
MAY MGA KWENTO, LARAWAN, O TULA KA BANG NAIS IBAHAGI? ANG SINAGTALA AY TUMATANGGAP NG MGA KONTRIBUSYON! Mag-PM lamang sa S’bang Ka Marawi o S’bang Ka Maguindanao Facebook Page.