Read about MPI in the Spring/Summer 2015 edition of Peacebuilder.

This is a special issue of Peacebuilder, focusing on various peacebuilding institutes whose roots include the Summer Peacebuilding Institute of Eastern Mennonite University, including MPI. Bonnie Price Lofton, the author and editor-in-chief for Peacebuilder came to the Philippines to visit MPI and some of the individuals and organizations that also benefitted from MPI's Annual Peacebuilding Training. The article about MPI begins on page 38 of the magzine (page 40 in this online version).

In addition, there is a short piece about Babu Ayindo and whether he thinks SPI is still needed (page 7 of artilce/page 9 online).

"I will call him my beloved uncle again," reaffirms Rosemarie Guilingan as tears flowed down her cheeks. Rosemarie is the daughter of Datu¹ Dalepusan Isis Guilingan and the niece of Barangay Captain² Luciano Tanglanan, the two main actors in a conflict that once divided Pikumpungan Subanen Lupa Pusaka³ (PSLP), the Indigenous Peoples' Organization (IPO) of the Ancestral Domain Council of Sindangan-Godod in Zamboanga del Norte Province on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

The conflict between Datu Isis Guilingan and Barangay Captain Tanglanan emerged out of the difference the two indigenous leaders had as to how they wanted to relate to mining concessions in their communities. The divisions among the Subanen people of Sindangan was a prime example of how extractive industries, such as mining, which often operate with little consideration for the environment, can destroy not only the natural surroundings and ecosystem of the community, but also can shatter human relationships, regardless of blood ties. Mining investors and politicians who chose to shortcut and circumvent the legal processes to expedite their mining operations were those primarily responsible for the confrontation between Datu Isis and Barangay Captain Tanglanan.

Because he remained steadfast in his constant demands for a legal and culturally-bound process, tribal elder Datu Isis was identified as responsible for the slow and uncertain progress of the mining operation in Sindangan. To further their interests, the mining investors sought ways to "unseat" Datu Isis and enter into negotiations with a "new" PSLP that would accelerate the approval process for operating mines in the area.

Eventually, when the mining company failed to keep its commitment to Tanglanan and his associates, Tanglanan realized his mistake, regretted his action and sought forgiveness from Datu Isis. For his part, Datu Isis and his council made every effort to deal with this resource-based conflict through a conflict transformation process, integrating traditional indigenous practices with newly acquired skills in conflict transformation.

On 16 March 2015, All-­Out Peace released a statement on the humanitarian crisis in Mindanao, "A Call for Humanitarian Ceasefire in MaguindaNOW! All­Out Peace Statement of Appeal." As an Asian training institute grounded in the Mindanao, Philippines, context the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute Foundation, Inc., affirms All-Out Peace's call for just and peaceful resolutions to the conflict in Mindanao, particularly in the areas of Maguindanao identified in the statement of All-Out Peace.

We also express our grave concern over the humanitarian crisis that has arisen out of the decision by the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) operations. There are now 123,537 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) according to Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART).

As with All-Out Peace, MPI is alarmed by the use of artillery shelling and airstrikes and intensified military operations with "no fixed timeline for the ongoing operations" according to military sources. This will not only result in increasing casualties on both sides of the conflict, but will result in long-term psychosocial damage to the residents, especially the children.

We, the civil society of Lanao, who have committed our passion for peace and development, commiserate with families of the elite police forces who unfortunately died at Mamasapano, Maguindanao during the course of serving a warrant of arrest to two alleged suspected terror group members;

We likewise empathize with the families of the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who died during the encounter at the same zone;

We express our grief and sympathy for the survivors of this tragedy which could have been avoided if only appropriate coordination and communication were channeled within the joint security mechanism as stated within the GPH and MILF’s Peace Agreement;