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MPPM GATHERS 360 LUMADS, MORO, MIGRANTS
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#8thMPPS
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Experience of Lumad during 5 days of summit
Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)
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54-km Peace March kicks off 8th MPPS
15 years of journey in building Sustainable Tr-People Communities JustPeace in Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan.
Justice. Empathy. Solidarity. Belief in people and communities. These are the words that are associated to the idea of peace as said by Amabella Carumba, member of the Mindanao People’s Peace Movement (MPPM) since 2000, a fighter for the tri-people and an advocate for peace. When people are talking about peace, no one can say a single and unified thought because peace is the paramount of harmonious relationship among peoples of diverse cultures, beliefs, race, and religion. The MPPM have a very strong grip on their belief, to fight for justice and equal treatment of the tri people, the Lumads, Bangsamoro and Migrants. One of the voices recognized by many is Carumba. She is one of those who had witnessed the growth of MPPM for 15 years and counting. She had witnessed the grassroots level of the issues and conflicts that the tri-
By Junaid Cader and Regine Arras people are suffering from. However, as to when, how, where and what reasons did Carumba to start to fight for peace and for MPPM lies a mystery to many. Growing up as a migrant child, Carumba had lived with people of different tribes in which the said discrimination against the opposite tribe was present. She was then curious on why did such treatment occur. Until in her college days, she grew a deeper commitment into fighting against inequality and oppression for the tri-people. Carumba’s first-hand experience with the tri-people from her immersions and conflict resolutions all throughout the years made her commitment even deeper. And as all stories of a successful journey, Carumba shared her moment when she was about to give up. “when I was new and I was not so firm in my commitment, I think that was 2005 because I always participate in culture basing and conflict resolution, and I was on my mo-
mentum. That time, I was at Libac doing a conflict resolution because the Manobo and Limaw were fighting, then a news broke out about MILF attacking Kolambugan. I said “what kind of work is this where you always do your best to build peace then all of a sudden, all your effort would vanish in an instant” she said when asked if she ever had a moment where she almost gave up. However, she did not, she chose to be audacious and continue spreading peace among tri-people. She realized that the number of advocates was so small and backing out would make the number even smaller. Amaballa Carumba’s journey as a warrior for peace is truly one of the great stories to listen to when you are in a dilemma of thinking about peace. Peace is very difficult to achieve, but nothing is difficult when you take the first step and be added to the numbers of those who have taken their first steps as well. Even the song has it, saying “together we stand, divided we fall”.
54-KM PEACE MARCH KICKS OFF 8TH MPPS The peace advocates led the 54-kilometer Mindanao Peoples’ Peace March bearing calls for greater peoples’ engagement on peace and conflict issues that affect the future of the younger generation of Mindanaoans. The march started in Cotabato City and ended at the Southern Christian College, Midsayap where 200 Lumad, Bangsamoro and Migrant human rights and peace advocates gather to discuss pertinent issues on the advancement of inclusive peace, promotion of human rights, equitable access to quality social services, sustainable development and environment and the right to self-determination.
Peace marchers echo calls for peace in the streets of Midsayap in time for the #8thMPPS Mindanao Peoples' Peace Summit. They walked 54 kilometers from Cotabato City to the Southern Christian College which hosts the said event.
Peace marchers were from the Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK) joined by advanced advocates from human rights and peace civil society member organizations of the Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM). Members of the national organizations, Stop the War -Coalition, Focus on the Global South and Peace Women Partners, International. Louis Panansaran, 20, a member of the Tri-People Youth for Change marked his first time to join a peace march and noted that peace initiatives require hard work and determination. “Even if it’s tiring, I felt happy because I was doing it with my fellow young people and I also met young people from other places. I also realized that what we are doing is a peaceful way of telling everyone what we want. There is always a place for peace”, Panansaran said. Meanwhile, Baguindalawan Marasila, who had first peace march with more than a thousand activists in the 92-kilometer Coal Resistance Climate Walk on July 19 to 24, 2015 in Lanao del Norte echoed his fellow marcher’s sentiments. “It was tiring but fulfilling because we were able to tell people what we want and we learn from other advocates”, he said. The marchers were fostered for a night by the Erumanen ne Menuvu indigenous group in Barongis, Libungan, Cotabato where they will continue their
MPPM GATHERS 360 LUMADS, MORO, MIGRANTS By Lyka Amethyst Casamayor
The Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement (MPPM) gathered a total of 200 Lumads, Moro, and Migrants in Mindanao or the tri- people th in the 8 Mindanao Peoples' Peace Summit (MPPS) at the Southern Christian College, Midsayap, North Cotabato, December 15-19. The participants came from the clusters of Bukidnon- Cotabato (BUCO), Maguindanao- Cotabato (MAGCOT), Lanao del Norte- Iligan City- Misamis Oriental- Misamis Occidental (LANIMOOC), Palawan- Lanao del Sur- Marawi City (PLASMA), Zamboanga Peninsula (ZAMPEN), Sulu- Tawi- tawi- Palawan (SULTAWIPA), South Cotabato- Saranggani Province- General Santos City (SOCKSARGEN), and Great Davao Area (GDA), respectively. The summit discussed on the advancement of the people's right to self- determination, peace based on justice, and work for sustainable development through ecologically- sound initiatives during the 5-day event. The main forum was on Federalism in the Context of Inclusive People's Self- Determination On the Lens of Bangsamoro discussed by Dr. Zainal Kulidtod, MSU- Marawi Professor on Political Sciences which was reacted by the different clusters. The National Democratic Front of the Philippines was represented by Loida Magpatoc, the NDFP Consultant. Other groups who participated were the MNLF represented by Dr. Hadji Mashur Bing- Galib Jundaan Sr., National Secretariat for Tripartite Peace Processes of MNLF; and RPM-M by Charity Care Lavandero, Secretariat to the Panel GPH- RPM-M Peace Talks.
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Thematic workshops were also made tackling the different issues and problems of peace on the lens of the different sectors in the society like women, youth, workers, farmers, and OFWs.
REPLEKSYON NG BANGSAMORO sa ika-8 MPPS
“Ang Peoples’ Summit ay napakahalagang opurtunidad ng tatlong katawhan sa Mindanao para marinig at maipaabot ang agenda na walang diskriminasyon”. Hindi maipagkakaila ang bawat katawhan ay may iba’t-ibat hinaing upang makamit ang “genuine peace in Mindanao” at ang patas na pagkilala sa pagkakaiba ng tatlong katawhan. Ang pagpapanday ng kapayapaan ay isang mabusising proseso na kailangan ang sapat at inklusibong partisipasyon ng mga mamamayan saklaw nito at nandiyan ang MPPM upang ifacilitate at suportahan ang tatlong katawhan. Sa summit na ito ay pinaangat ang kaalaman ng mga delegado upang ito ay madala at maibahagi sa kanilang organisasyon at komunidad sa kanilang pagbabalik. Ang updated at informative input ng mga facilitators sa isyung napapanahon at direktang apektado tayo ay nagbibigay kaalaman at kalakasan na mayroong tayong magagawa kung tayo ay nagkakaintindihan at nagkakaisa upang maiangat ang kalagayan ng tatlong mamamayan sa Mindanao.
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Sa usaping Inclusive Peace sa Mindanao ay isa lamang ang ibig sabihin at yan ay IKAW, AKO at TAYONG lahat sa Mindanao.
Sa usaping Inclusive Peace sa Mindanao ay isa lamang ang ibig sabihin at yan ay IKAW, AKO TAYONG lahat sa Mindanao.
ay para na kilala pagkatao mang alam iwanan pagkamit at maMin-
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PEOPLES’ CAUCUS– KATAWHANG BANGSAMORO
Ang summit bang pamilya ang iyong na may kasapaggalang at mong walang pagdating sa ng kapayapaan pagkakapantay pantay ng mga mamayan sa danao,
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Ang Bangsamoro Mag-Cot cluster ay nagagalak na bumabati ng TAGUMPAY sa bumubuo ng MPPM.
PEOPLES’ CAUCUS– KATAWHANG LUMAD
“DEKELA NE UNTUNG for MPPM” By: Elmalyn
MPPM plays a very vital Role in enhancing my perspective in life. Being involved in some of activities of MPPM like this give me a wider view of advocating to the voiceless people to amplify their sentiments and clamour in the supposed to be “service providers” of society. I was with MPPM since 2010 during the 6th Summit at Upi, Maguindanao. I was with my 3 children as participants during the said summit. My youngest daughter Jannah Mariz was only 3 years old then but I could see in her face the interest to mingle with other children without hesitations. Since then, I always tend to volunteer and personally request the secretariat to let me be involved in every activities that they do. MPPM, the way I see it, is the proper venue and vehicle for the tri-people to meet and be of fellowship with different tribes with different causes, diverse principles and background. MPPM through its advocacy to promote and strengthen the Rights to Self-Determination gives the opportunity to the tri-people to amplify their experience whether good or bad and to voice-out their sentiments to the
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Mabuhaay ang ika-8 MPPS! Mabuhay ang Tatlong-Katawhan sa Mindanao! Mabuhay ang Mindanao!
concerned agencies and institutions especially in the peace processes issue. MPPM has the will to convene the different line government agencies, militant groups and fronts in order to have a conversation with the grassroots level.
NDFP NAGHAIN NG SAGOT SA ARMADONG PAKIKIBAKA, PAMBANSANG KASARINLAN By Wendy Salva Ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) ay naglahad ng mga sanhi kung bakit may patuloy na rebolusyon na umuusbong sa Pilipinas sa 8th Mindanao People’s Peace Summit na ginanap noong ika- 17 ng disyembre.
https://www.facebook.com/Mindanao-Peoples-PeaceMovement-MPPM
http://www.tripeople.org/ http://tripeoplesjournal.blogspot.com/
RPMM URGES DUTERTE ADMIN TO LISTEN TO THE TRI-PEOPLE By Lyka Amethyst Casamayor
yapaan ay makakamit lamang kung magka roon ng mga substansyal na hakbang upang matugunan ang mga demokratikong karapatan ng mga mamamayan”, said Charita Care Lavandero, Secretariat to the Panel GPHRPM-M Peace Talks Sustainable Alternatives for the Advancement of Mindanao as she read the let(SALAM), Inc., delivering the statement of the Rebulosyunaryong ter of the organizaPartido ng Mangagawa-Mindanao (RPMM). tion. “Pangalawa, substansyal na kalahok ang mga demoThe Rebolusyonaryong Partidong kratikong pwersang panlipunan, mga Manggagawa- Mindanao (RPM-M) urged komunidad at mga mamamayan (trithe Administration of President Rodrigo people) sa buong prosesong bukas sa Duterte to listen to the demands and senti- lahat na mga perspektiba”, she continued. ments of the tri- people in Mindanao on an official letter by the organization read at the After the listed reading the letter, 3rd day of the 8th Mindanao People’s Peace questions were raised by the tri- people. Summit, December 17. “Naniniwala ang ating Partido na ang Kapa"Madugangan pa ba ang mga
baranggay peace consultations sa RPM -M?" asked Datu of Higaonon tribe. Lavandero said that the office of RPM-M decided to stop the peace talk with the national government of Arroyo because of the questionable legitimacy of the administration. However, development projects after consultations will continue and hopefully will have more of it. “Patuloy nating pinanghahawakan ang diwa at esensya ng napirmahang Kasunduang Tigil-Putukan (Ceasefire)”, she added. RPM-M believed on inclusive peace, and it will only be achieved in Mindanao if people will look back on the past and attempt to correct the wrongs. “Sa pagbukas ng administrasyong Duterte sa pakikipag-usap sa mga rebolusyonaryong grupo ay mahalagang tingnan ng mga social movements na maipihit, maigiit at maisulong ang adyenda ng mga sektor, mamamayan at komunidad”, Lavandero said.
DIWANG IMINULAT By: Jade Buhoy
Sa lugar kung saan ang mga tao’y may diwa ngunit hindi iisa, may puso ngunit walang pinag-aalayan. Sa bawat Pilipinong mamamayan, may kabataan na nais lamang ay makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, lisanin ang bayang sinilangan upang ang pansariling pangarap ay maisakatuparan. Noong una, isa rin ako sa kanila. Isa sa mga kabataang pinagkaitan ng kamalayan sa mga pangyayari sa lipunan. Kinain ng sistema na sinusupil ng teknolohiyang hunihumok ang pagiging makasarili at nagdudulot ng uslak na isipan. Binulag ng mga kaisipang lihis sa katotohanan at biningi ng mga mabibentang kanta kahit walang kabuluhan. Datapuwa’t noong una, ang pakikiisa sa mga kilusang na may hangaring pagkaisahin ang mamamayang Pilipino ay nakapagbigay ng hindi pangkaraniwang palagay sa aking diwa. Ganap sa aking isipan ang mga tanong kung ang hangaring pansarili ba ay dapat laging nauuna, ang mga pangarap ng ating guro ay hanggang dito lang ba, at ang huling mga salita na nagdulot ng pagtataka ay kung ito lang ba ang kapakinabangan na matatamo ng mga araling naituro. Ang pagpupulong na ito ay nagpaalab ng paniniwala sa pagsasakatuparan ng makatarungang lipunan para sa mamamayan. Kung mamarapatin lamang, ang lugar na pinangyarihan nito ay parang isang nakasanayang larawan sa aking paningin ngunit binigyan ito ng kapakinabangan ng pagpupulong na tungo sa pagkakaroon ng kaalaman para sa pagtamo ng kapayapaan. Sa pamamagitan ng mga taong nagbahagi ng mga karahasang kanilang naranasan ay nagsilbing tagapagpukaw sa kamalayan ko bilang kabataang Pilipino. Kabataang Pilipino na nagtataglay ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa at may sapat na kaalaman upang hindi mapailalim sa mga mapag-aping nakakataas sa lipunan. Isa rin sa nakapagbigay sagot sa aking mga katanungan ay ang mga naghihikahos na mamamayan na
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Teatro Mandanawi performed during 8th MPPS at SCC, Midsayap North Cotabato, December 15
pilit binubusalan ang mga bibig dahil sa pagsigaw ng mga salitang nagnanais sumugpo ng karahasan at kahirapan, dagdag na rin ang pagmamalimos ng kasarimlang iwinaglit sa lipunan na siyang sagot sa kapayapaan ng bawat mamamayan ng Pilipinas.