Waging Peace in Mindanao: Addressing Ridu

1. Waging Peace in Mindanao: Addressing Ridu Abhoud Syed M. Lingga Executive Director Institute of Bangsamoro Studies 2011Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines National Convention Davao City 21-23 September 2011

2. Armed Conflicts in Mindanao Government forces MILF/MNLF Forces Self-determination Government forces Communist Party (CPP/NPA/NDF) Ideological Indigenous Peoples Business interests (fishing, logging, mining, etc) Resource-based Government forces Abu Sayaf/JI Terrorism Government forces Criminal elements Criminality Clan/family Clan/family Ridu (Clan conflict)

3. What is ridu • 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.

4. Different Names • 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

5. 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

6. Causes and Triggers

7. What is riduall about? • 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

8. Generate Violation of Conflict Feeling of Injustice Kanaman/ Maratabat/ Sipug Restoration of damaged kanaman/maratabat/sipug Violence Justice Absence/failure of justice system

9. Response • 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

10. Transformation of Conflict into Ridu CONFLICT Intervention (No intervention) Peaceful Resolution Success Failure Unresolved Ridu Escalation Latent Suppressed/ Concealed

11. Transformation of Ridu RIDU Intervention (no intervention) Peaceful Resolution Success Possibility Recurrence Failure Unresolved Escalation Latent Suppressed/ Concealed

12. Costs • 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

13. Resolution • 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

14. Observations • 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

15. Challenges in Addressing Ridu • Contested authority (between the GPH and MILF) • Problem in the administration of justice • Mistrust in the police and jail management

16. Uncontested Authority: Camp Abubakre Case • 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

17. Administration of justice: Municipal Courts (2006) • 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)

18. Administration of justice: Municipal Courts (2006) • 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)

19. Mistrust in the Police • 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)

20. Recommendations • 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

21. Recommendations • Security reform • Strengthen policing • Reform jail management • Disband militias (paramilitary groups) • Disband private armies • Promote peaceful methods of conflict resolution

22. Recommendations • 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

23. Thank you