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Home/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ April 14, 2008, BusinessWorld, Clan wars in autonomous Muslim region threatening peace progress, by Joel B. Escovilla,

April 14, 2008, BusinessWorld, Clan wars in autonomous Muslim region threatening peace progress, by Joel B. Escovilla,

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April 14, 2008, BusinessWorld, Clan wars in autonomous Muslim region threatening peace progress, by Joel B. Escovilla,

DAVAO CITY — Clan wars, or rido, in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) continue to threaten progress in the southern peace talks.

Rufa C. Guiam, director of the Center for Peace and Development Studies of the Mindanao State University, said minor wars among fellow Muslims and feuding families are mainly caused by property disputes, dishonor on the family, or crimes committed against a family member.

"Rido is said to be rooted in the traditional values of the tribes like themaratabat among the Maranaos and the Maguindanaoans and sipug among the Tausugs," she said during the Conference on Experiences in Peace Work of ARMM Local Governance Stakeholders at a local hotel here at the weekend.

She said an estimated 52% of clan wars have yet to be resolved, 48% have been resolved, and 3% have recurred.

Among the clan wars resolved in January was between the Imam and Macapeges families, which claimed the lives of many innocent civilians in the province of Shariff Kabunsuan.

With the help of the Asia Foundation and the province’s Regional Reconciliation and Unification Committee, the two families signed a peace agreement which ended the six-year conflict that left nine dead and 13 wounded on both sides.

The prevalence of rido has spurred a Canadian-funded program to work on establishing conflict resolution mechanisms among local government units to address clan wars and other peace and order issues in ARMM.

Ma. Victoria Z. Maglana, service delivery and crosscutting manager of the Local Government Support Program in ARMM, said the objective is to lessen, if not totally remove, military and police intervention in resolving local conflicts.

"We localize the problem and put the responsibility on the lap of the stakeholders," she said.

Ms. Maglana said a number of conflict resolution mechanisms have been institutionalized in ARMM municipalities, but some local government units have balked at the idea of providing funding support to get peace councils moving.

She said it doesn’t cost much to create local peace councils since the members will be volunteers and chosen by the different sectors themselves.

As an example, Mayor Ramon A. Piang, Sr. of Upi, Maguindanao province said they have a conflict-resolution body with two Muslims, two lumads (local tribes), and two Christians as member. They each receive a monthly allowance of P5,000. The body settles conflicts ranging from rape, murder, and petty crimes.

A Social Weather Stations survey in 2005 on Conflict Resolution and the Participation of Women in Peace, Governance and Development, stated that the percentage of conflicts between families and clans (28%) is higher than clashes between Moro rebels and the military (20%).The perception that revenge is a right afforded to victims is also prevalent in ARMM, with around 72% of respondents saying it is correct to "avenge my family if one of its members gets hurt, is murdered, or is raped." The survey also stated the respondents prefer local leaders such as barangay captains, mayors, elders and spiritual leaders, to settle conflicts prior to military or police intervention. 

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