COTABATO CITY (October 13, 2023) – The Tiyakap Kalilintad (Care for Peace) hosted the activity entitled Multi Stakeholders Peace Forum for Sustaining Peace held at Pagana Native and Restaurant, this city on Thursday.
It was supported by German Cooperation (Duetsche Zusamme Narbeit) and the ACTED organization represented by Timothy John Olivo, the Mindanao Area Coordinator.
Abdulnasser B. Binansing, president of Tiyakap Kalilintad, said, “This aims to prevent the escalation of conflicts in Special Geographic Area (SGA), in Maguindanao and Cotabato through community-based peace-building, strengthening intercultural dialogue and empowering local authorities and civil society organizations.”
The acronym PESPABAB want to stabilize peace and security in the BARMM region through participation of the multi-stakeholders from the community.
The organized participants were from Barangay local executives, Civil Society Organizations, women and youth sector including some of the mass media in the Bangsamoro.
Speakers during the activity were Junalyn Gayak Sumlay, the SGA Chief Operator Officer of the Special Geographic Area Development Authority (SGADA), Jurin Kasim of MILF-AHJAG peace mechanism, and from Philippine law enforcement, Major General Olivar Dela Cruz, of Kampilan 6ID, located at Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
The Philippine National Police was represented by PCPT Elenita A. Piang, RHRAO, PRO BAR. Also present was Rohaniya M. Sumail, GAD Specialist III of the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) under the Office of the Chief Minister of the BARMM.
The forum discussion became intense when Tong M. Mamalinta, councilor of Barangay Binasing of Pigcawayan Cluster delivered his query for all the speakers pertaining on how to achieve justice committed against to the civilians of SGA by the perpetrators.
“Where is the protection of the people? What is unclear issue on SGA governance? What are the possible solution to address the basic services for their people? What are initiatives and programs pertains to youth sector to be avoidable to any violence activity?,” he asked.
In response, Sumlay, cited that there is a “missing link” in SGA that people must understand.
“What the SGA 63 Barangays needed is to have a provincial and municipal governance that will be the established home of the 63 Barangays in SGA,” she explained.
She added, “However, in the absence of the so called “missing link” for the meantime, the MILG BARMM taking care of the responsibility to give respond in terms of delivery of basic services.”
Sumlay said, “The BARMM government is an inclusive government for all its constituency. That under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Hon. Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, which is a MILF leader they feel the call for inclusivity approach in dealing with solutions to conflicts together with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).”
Major Gen. Olivar respond saying that the Philippine law enforcement especially the Armed Forces of the Philippines not only are hunting the criminals, but they are also doing their best to protect the community.
“However, the so-called peace and security would not only be achieved by the AFP alone, but, through collaboration of the masses from the ground. It is a complimentary responsibility of everyone,” the soldier explained.
Sumail from BWC stipulated that their office engaged with their local partners to implement such programs and services direct to the community and formulate policies to submit to the Parliament for policy approval focusing on strengthening women’s agenda.
The activity also gave a space for mass media to interact and ask questions on the great impact of program to the community and to the BARMM government as well.
In an interview with Timothy John Olivo, the Mindanao Area Coordinator of ACTED, once said, “the PESPABAB program is wanting to help in establishing a peaceful community in the Bangsamoro by preventing escalation of violence that causes conflicts.”
He ended, “through collective efforts of multi stakeholders in the region, peace and security is possible.” (Faydiyah Samanodi Akmad – Bangsamoro Multimedia Network)
