Monday, December 28, 2009

Can Peace be Achieved in Maguindanao?

MANILA, Philippines - The Maguindanao massacre was triggered by two clans' struggle to gain power over the province.

This kind of conflict is not exclusive in Maguindanao but local leaders in other provinces have found a way to maintain peace among clans.

In an interview on ANC's Talkback with Tina Palma on Monday, Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez said their peace program not only involved residents but local authorities and insurgents as well.

"First thing we did was invest in the culture of peace training where we invested in leaders and developed what we call peace and development advocates in every barangay, even went to the extent training our army, police together with the MILF..." Dominguez said.

Sarangani was among the recipients of the "Galing Pook Award" for its peace efforts.

The Galing Pook Foundation honors yearly outstanding practices of local government units ranging from peace and conflict resolution to environmental management.

Another awardee is Tabuk in Kalinga Province where Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr. combined traditional ways of resolving conflict with local government institutions.

"Ten years ago Tabuk was dubbed as the most dangerous place in the Cordilleras because of so many killings, tribal vendettas... so we helped organize all these tribes. A tribe has Bodong holders, the peace pot holders... so we had to organize these Bodong holders and have to meet them thru Bodong warming wherein two tribes meet again, renew their peace pact..." Lammawin Jr. said.

Former Congressman Nereus Acosta who is also a member of the National Selection Committee of Galing Pook said the awardees were successful in their peace efforts due to their innovations.

He however admits it could take time before peace can be achieved among the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus in Maguindanao.

When asked if martial law is the solution to the Maguindanao massacre, Dominguez said it is, so long as its implementation is only temporary.

"On the short term, as a party we support martial law, given we dismantle, disarm every single person in Maguindanao to level the playing field. Second, those responsible should be arrested and charged, once we achieve that, martial law should be lifted as soon as possible."

But Lammawin Jr. and Acosta are against it.

They believe government can solve the killings and prevent further violence without martial law.

Despite opposition from various sectors, martial law stays in effect in Maguindanao.

But whether or not this will actually solve the Maguindanao massacre and stop the violence in the province remains to be seen.

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