Building peace in the Philippines

Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippines. North- western Mindanao is humid and mountainous.

One-storey buildings and wooden shacks on stilts are set back from the road amidst banana trees and coconut palms.

Many houses are surrounded by beautifully tended gardens with brightly coloured flowers, crops, chickens and water buffaloes.

History In the 14th century Islam was introduced by Arab and Malay traders and missionaries in the Southern islands, including Mindanao. In the sixteenth century the Philippines, except the Muslim influenced south and central Mindanao, was colonised by Catholic Spain. After the Spanish American war in 1898, the rest of the Philippines was colonised by the United States.

In 1935 the country became self-governing and finally won independence in 1946.

Conflict over land In 1903 the US declared lands not registered to private persons or corporations public land. Almost the whole of Mindanao became public lands. It issued land titles allowing Christians to claim 16 hectares (later changed to 24), Muslims 10 hectares and indigenous (native) people less than 5 hectares of land each.

Injustices from previous decades continue to trouble the Philippines. Conflict has been a way of life for several generations. The Philippines government is holding peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The 24 hectares One particular patch of 24 hectares in Inudaran is claimed by both Muslims and Christians. War between government forces and the MILF broke out here in 2000.

More than 220 people have been killed on this one patch of land.

Pakigdait CAFOD’s partner in Mindanao, is called Pakigdait, meaning north- western “reaching out in the name of peace”. It is a mixed Christian- Muslim organisation formed in 2000 when the conflict became particularly heated.

Pakigdait engages in interfaith dialogue. It helps Christians and Muslims to meet and work together. One way that it does this is by conflict management activities such as workshops, which trace the causes of the conflict and enable people to understand and share with each other. It helps them work together to find solutions.

Pakigdait also runs community development programmes, strengthening livelihoods in poor, rural areas.

Ansari Christmar Pernia, (R) and Merlito (Maley) Delacalzada, volunteers with CAFOD partner Pakigdait, embrace at a special ritual for Christians and Muslims organised by Pakigdait to mark the end of Ramadan.

All photographs: Annie Bungeroth For this and other regularly updated secondary school resources, please visit cafod.org.uk/secondary