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 MindanaoGovernment forcesMILF/MNLF ForcesSelf-determinationGovernment forcesCommunist Party(CPP/NPA/NDF)IdeologicalIndigenous PeoplesGovernment forcesGovernment forcesBusiness interests(fishing, logging, mining, etc)Resource-basedAbu Sayaf/JICriminal elementsTerrorismCriminalityClan/familyClan/familyRidu (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 IranunsPagbanta among the TausugKontara among the YakansPagbaus among the SamaUkag/kontra/kontla among the Magindanaun in the upper valleyLido 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

LandDisputesPolitical RivalriesCommon CrimesResources & BusinessesOther Disputes Ownership Inheritance Boundary Disputed government surveys Disputed ancestral land claims Election related

Murder Homicide Robbery (cattle rustling) Sexual offenses Physical injuries Illegal drugsCompetition over fishing groundCompetition 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

ConflictFeeling of InjusticeKanaman/Maratabat/SipugGenerateJusticeRestoration of damagedkanaman/maratabat/sipugViolation ofViolenceAbsence/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

EscalationSuccessLatentSuppressed/Concealed Transformation of Conflict into Ridu

RIDU

Unresolved

Intervention(no intervention)

PeacefulResolutionLatentSuppressed/Concealed

Escalation

Failure

Success

Recurrence

Possibility

Transformation of Ridu

DeathLimits freedom of movementsGenerates feeling of insecurity and peacelessnessDestruction of properties and livelihoodBurning of Houses Damages to farms, livelihood Lost Income ImpoverishmentDisplacementEvacuations Transfer of Residency

Formal SystemPhilippine courtsKatarungang Pambarangay Philippine Shariah Courts

Innovative mechanism of LGUs

Traditional ways of the datus

NGOs initiatives

MILF/MNLF conflict resolution bodiesMILF/MNLF Shariah courtsReconciliation 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 justiceMistrust in the police and jail management

Camp Abubakre was not a military camp but a communityBefore year 2000 it was under complete control of the MILFWhen it was under the control of the MILF, crime rate was zero and there were no riduThere were instances where Christians file complaints against Muslims and were decided in favor of the Christians within short period of timeRidu before the establishment of the camp were resolved

Maguindanao3 Municipal Trial Courts (Vacant)5 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)

Sulu1 Municipal Trial Court (Vacant)4 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)

Tawi-Tawi5 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (Vacant)

Basilan2 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (With Judges)

Lanao del Sur1 Municipal Trial Court (Vacant)9 Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (2- with Judges; 7 Vacant)

Lanao del Norte2 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, inuential 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 justiceMake justice accessible and affordableAppoint judges, prosecutors and public attorneys

Security reformStrengthen policingReform jail managementDisband 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

**Kanaman - The term is related to the concept of dignity, honor and self-respect. It is a personal conviction to uphold the integrity of ones family group, by defending it by all means. Sipug shameMaratabat - Self-esteem and dignity *