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;

For the second year in a row, the Lanao Regions of Northwestern Mindanao in the Philippines celebrated the Mindanao Week of Peace in style. It is a one-of-a-kind celebration. People from different sectors and institutions join, have fun, and run together for one purpose—PEACE. All parts of society join the fun run: from elementary, high school and college students and teachers to the police, government, and community workers.

In 2013, the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) was celebrated in Lanao with a fun run, I Run 4 Peace, organized by the local organization EcoWEB, Inc. along with its partners. I Run and Roll for Peace was the theme of the run in 2014. The goal was for the run to be more inclusive. In 2014, the mobility-challenged were able to join, celebrate and support the push for long-lasting peace in Mindanao.

The Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute Foundation, Inc. (MPI) is greatly saddened by the tragic encounter that recently took place in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, between members of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Moro. The incident claimed the lives of at least 50 PNP-SAF soldiers and 5 MILF members. Several more from both camps were wounded. We send our heartfelt sympathy to the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible incident. For this to happen in the midst of the peace process between the Government and the MILF is extremely worrisome.

Unfortunately, there are clamors through social media and other venues for an all-out war, vengeance for the deaths of comrades, and justice through violent means. At present there is little clarity as to exactly what happened and who holds responsibility. Clearly, though, we are all affected, especially the people of Mindanao and those who are in the immediate area of the encounter.

On September 27, 2014, at least eight Tribal Subanen communities from five municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur joined the Mindanao-wide one hour Tree Planting of 4.6 million trees in a quest to beat the record holder in India in the Guinness World Records for most trees planted simultaneously (multiple locations), where 1.9 million seedlings where planted in one hour.

The municipalities of Tigbao, Dumalinao, Pitogo, Kumalarang and Bayog participated in the tree planting, which covered an area of 205 hectares. Romeo Ansale, Forest Specialist of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in the province, said the target was to plant 102,500 seedlings in the assigned area.

The team of the Resource-Based Conflict and Peacebuilding Training Program of the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute Foundation, Incorporated (MPI) was present to observe and document the process. Bayog and Kumalarang were participants in  Phase One of the program from 2012-2013 and had scholars trained in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), including climate change and using Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) for preparedness.