The dialogue session held on 27-28 July 2011 in General Santos City covering Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) successfully completed the 17-region run of the project “Community-based Dialogue Sessions on Human Rights Promotion and Protection between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, and Civil Society Organizations and Local Communities”. It was a poignant time for the partners and stakeholders alike as this was a significant achievement for the project.  The regional dialogue sessions ended on a high note especially in this particular part of the country where armed conflicts still persist.  Overall, the positive response to the dialogue sessions and its initial gains will provide further impetus towards sustainable actions moving forward.

This dialogue session held jointly for Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) and ARMM covered the provinces of Cotabato (North), South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and the cities of General Santos, Cotabato and Marawi.  Other areas in ARMM were covered in the dialogue session for Region 10 in view of proximity.  About 90 participants attended the activity including high-ranking officers of the AFP from the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) and the PNP notably the Regional Director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 12, some of whom are the designated Human Rights Officers, as well as distinguished representatives from the CSOs.

The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) shared the Human Rights Situation specifically for Region 12 (it does not have an office in ARMM).  It was noted that “unrelenting and sporadic incidents of armed conflict in many areas of Region 12 and ARMM result in the displacement and many untold stories of suffering and miseries” of the people, not to mention the incidence of “rido”. Majority of the displaced people come from Muslim-populated areas in ARMM who were affected by the conflict between the government and MILF. For the period January to June 2011, records show a total of 45 cases and topping the list were: Murder/Homicide/Summary Execution (6), Illegal Detention/Arrest (3), Harassment (3) and Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act/RA 9262 (3). The top 3 respondents were: PNP (10), Civilians (6) and AFP (3), while in terms of place of incident, most of the cases happened in South Cotabato (13).

The participants had a candid and productive sharing and exchange of experiences and information.  The dominant human rights issues that emanated from the discussions were attributed to the continuing armed conflicts causing massive displacement, fear, killings, loss of life and property and livelihood, land disputes and “rido”.

Among the recommendations for future action include:

• Conduct community-based dialogue, public awareness forums and information drive;
• Intensify/get active involvement of all stakeholders in human rights advocacy especially at the grassroots level towards value transformation;
• Creation of a Local Monitoring Action Group to focus on human rights; forge MOA among CSOs, AFP/PNP, LGUs and other stakeholders in respective areas;
• Create/institutionalize a sustainable mechanism for human rights advocacies;
• Activate/strengthen Barangay Human Rights Action Centers (BHRACs);
• Enhance education system incorporating human rights values/practices;
• Re-echo/disseminate/implement ARMM Gender and Development (GAD) program
• Adopt best practices;
• Build mutual trust and confidence among the security/law enforcement sector and CSOs;
• Conduct Human Rights Education (HRE) to both the security and law enforcement sectors, the CSOs and the communities;
• Popularize  and strengthen the principle of accountability against perpetrators of human rights violations (HRVs) and seek justice for the victims;
• Share the programs of the security sector with the community through the help of CSOs;
• Validate and verify human rights incidents/complaints/facts;
• Coordinate and link up with security sector and CSOs;
• Encourage human rights advocates to widen their perspective towards the promotion and protection of human rights;
• Strengthen PNP/AFP Human Rights Offices (HROs) at the local level; and
• Pro-active resolution of cases with concrete action by concerned offices, e.g., DAR, DENR, NCIP, LGUs.

In closing, Atty. Marlon Manuel, Project Lead Person and National Coordinator of the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), pointed out that since the start of the project in October 2008, positive changes have happened and are happening but more needs to be done to institutionalize this framework of cooperation through significant and/or radical change/transformation measures or mechanisms towards human rights promotion and protection in the country. He acknowledged the important role of the HROs in self-education and educating others on human rights, and towards convergence efforts in the communities. He cited the deployment of PNP “HRO Cops” during the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III as a good move towards human rights advocacy.  He noted that the project will continue on, and thanked the partner organizations and local stakeholders for the support and cooperation.

This project is undertaken in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), Alternative Law Groups (ALG) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany (HSF).