Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc.

Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw ... sa Mindanaw, sa Pilipinas, sa Kalibutan

Peacebuilding and Conflict Management for Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary
By Leonardo “Bau” Bautista

“Ipasabot sa ila ang kaimportante sa kalinaw. Dili lang pagduty ang inyong trabaho. Dugang kamo sa solusyon sa problema, dili dugang sa problema. Kaya may Op Kors! tayo, para mas masabtan ninyo ang inyong trabaho.” (“Let them understand the importance of peace. Your work is not limited only to your tour of duty. You are part of the solution, not to worsen the problem. That is why we are having Op Kors! to understand our work.”)

This was shared by 2LT Raul Obaob, one of the military trainors for OP KORS during the Peacebuilding and Conflict Management for Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA). There were 66 SCAAs who underwent this training at the 403rd Infantry Brigade in Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City last February 21-25, 2009.

The activity was sponsored by the Malaybalay City Local Government in partnership and coordination with the 403rd Peacemaker Brigade under Col. Nicanor Dolojan and Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. The SCAAs had already undergone a 45-day Basic Military Training. The additional 5 days training provided a venue for the participants to learn the fundamentals of culture of peace, basics of conflict management and resolution skills, and peacebuilding. The training also tackled the local situation and the role of CAFGUs in their respective and immediate communities.

Most of the participants were Indigenous People coming from the Higaunon tribe of Barangay Caburakanan, Barangay Kulaman, Barangay Silae, Barangay Patpat, Barangay Dalwangan, and Malaybalay City.

The training team was composed of staff from the Balay Mindanaw International Center for Peace and Military Officers and Enlisted Personnel from the 8th “Dependable” Infantry Battalion and 29th “Matatag” Infantry Battalion. The training was also part of the action plan of the military members of the training team who have undergone the Trainors Training for Operation Peace Course (OP Kors!) conducted last February 2-7, 2009 in Cagayan de Oro City .

The first day of the training provided the participants insights on the context of the present situation both in their local community and in Mindanao. They also learned about the National Peace Plan and the Six Paths to Peace. A session on “The person in the peacebuilder” was facilitated by Prof. Saturnina “Bebot” Rodil of MSU-IIT and MSU-IPDM on the third day. Bebot emphasized to the SCAAs that their role as CAFGUs and as a peacebuilder should start from within themselves. She emphasized that self-awareness and listening were important in order to have an effective relationship and self transformation.

The third day was focused on their roles as CAFGUs in relation to peacebuilding and the definition and elements of conflict. The session was facilitated by 2 LT Raul Obaob. A session on Conflict Analysis Tools was facilitated by Charmaine Mae Dagapioso-Baconga in the afternoon. The following day, 2Lt. Bryan Lim facilitated the topic on peace, followed by as session on Conflict Resolution Skills facilitated by Leonardo Bautista and 1Lt Allan Guibone.

On the last day, a session on Local Governance and the development of local peace agenda was facilitated by Paul Richard Paraguya. The session was followed by the action planning and presentation of plans. The participants were able to formulate significant plans on how to apply what they have learned from the training.

The trained SCAAs would soon be assigned to their different areas of assignment within Malaybalay City. But now, they will be going to the communities with additional knowledge and skills in handling and managing conflict not only as Peace Keepers but also as Peace Builders.