Waging Peace in Mindanao:

Addressing Ridu

Abhoud Syed M. LinggaExecutive Director

Institute of Bangsamoro Studies

2011Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines National Convention

Davao City 21-23 September 2011

Armed Conflicts in Mindanao

Government forces MILF/MNLF Forces Self-determination

Government forcesCommunist Party

(CPP/NPA/NDF)Ideological

Indigenous Peoples

Government forces

Government forces

Business interests(fishing, logging, mining, etc)

Resource-based

Abu Sayaf/JI

Criminal elements

Terrorism

Criminality

Clan/family Clan/family Ridu (Clan conflict)

A state of conflict when parties involved resort to violent retaliation and counter retaliation resulting to cyclic system of vengeance. In most cases, conflict becomes ridu when it resulted to death in either party.

Conflict becomes ridu when there is violent hostility between or among the parties involved resulting to retaliation. Sometimes, even if no one dies one party takes preemptive action if he perceives that the other party has the plan to attack.

Ridu among the Meranaws and Iranuns Pagbanta among the Tausug Kontara among the Yakans Pagbaus among the Sama Ukag/kontra/kontla among the

Magindanaun in the upper valley Lido among the Higaonon

Family and clan conflicts happen not only in Mindanao but also in other parts of the Philippines

Inter kin group conflict also happens in indigenous communities in the Cordillera region as well as in Mindanao

LandDisputes

Political Rivalrie

s

Common Crimes

Resources &

Businesses

Other Disputes

• Ownership • Inheritance • Boundary • Disputed government surveys• Disputed ancestral land claims

• Election related

• Murder • Homicide• Robbery (cattle rustling)• Sexual offenses• Physical injuries• Illegal drugs

•Competition over fishing ground•Competition over market shares

• Games• Marriage concerns (elopement, non payment of dowry) • Non- payment of debts

Tendencies of parties to retaliate violently targeting not just the offender but also other members of the family or clan

The retaliation and counter retaliation involve the whole family or clan

Can last for several generations

New phenomenon in Muslim communities in Mindanao. Ridu started after the declined of the power of the sultanates

Conflict Feeling of Injustice

Kanaman/Maratabat/

Sipug

Generate

Justice

Restoration of damagedkanaman/maratabat/sipug

Violation of

ViolenceAbsence/failure of

justice system

Once there is failure/absence of justice system, the response of the aggrieved parties will depend upon their capabilities

Accessibility to guns will likely make the response more violent

If the aggrieved party is not in the position to retaliate the conflict becomes latent

CONFLICT

Unresolved

Intervention(No intervention)

PeacefulResolution

Ridu

Failure

Escalation

Success

LatentSuppressed/Concealed

Transformation of Conflict into Ridu

RIDU

Unresolved

Intervention(no intervention)

PeacefulResolution

LatentSuppressed/Concealed

Escalation

Failure

Success

Recurrence

Possibility

Transformation of Ridu

Death Limits freedom of movements Generates feeling of insecurity and

peacelessness Destruction of properties and livelihood

◦Burning of Houses◦ Damages to farms, livelihood◦ Lost Income◦ Impoverishment

Displacement◦Evacuations◦ Transfer of Residency

Formal System◦ Philippine courts◦ Katarungang Pambarangay ◦ Philippine Shari’ah Courts

Innovative mechanism of LGUs

Traditional ways of the datus

NGOs initiatives

MILF/MNLF conflict resolution bodies◦ MILF/MNLF Shariah courts◦ Reconciliation committees

Ridu is the consequence of the absence/failure of justice system

If wrong is done and justice is given to the offended party, the conflict is resolved for justice is the restorative system of damaged kanaman, or maratabat, or sipug

Contested authority (between the GPH and MILF)

Problem in the administration of justice

Mistrust in the police and jail management

Camp Abubakre was not a military camp but a community

Before year 2000 it was under complete control of the MILF

When it was under the control of the MILF, crime rate was zero and there were no ridu

There were instances where Christians file complaints against Muslims and were decided in favor of the Christians within short period of time

Ridu before the establishment of the camp were resolved

Maguindanao◦ 3 Municipal Trial Courts (Vacant)◦ 5 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)

Sulu◦ 1 Municipal Trial Court (Vacant)◦ 4 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)

Tawi-Tawi◦ 5 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)

Basilan◦ 2 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (With Judges)

Lanao del Sur◦ 1 Municipal Trial Court (Vacant)◦ 9 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (2- with Judges;

7 Vacant)

Lanao del Norte◦ 2 Municipal Trial Courts (Vacant)◦ 8 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (3 – Vacant;

5 – with judges)

Corruption(2011 Pulse Asia perceptions survey revealed that

the PNP is regarded as the second most corrupt government agency)

Lack of independence(Influence of political leaders, influential and rich

families, landlords and business-people)

Resolve the self-determination conflict in Mindanao (GPH-MILF conflict) to address the issue of contested authority

Improve administration of justice◦ Make justice accessible and affordable◦ Appoint judges, prosecutors and public attorneys

Security reform◦ Strengthen policing◦ Reform jail management◦ Disband militias (paramilitary groups)◦ Disband private armies

Promote peaceful methods of conflict resolution

Promote ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution)

◦ To encourage NGO initiatives, participation of traditional leaders, and LGUs initiatives

◦ Review RA 9285 on how it can be used to address ridu