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First Posted on Inside Mindanao (www.insidemindanao.com) on October 27, 2008

Women behind the Mindanao armed–conflict scene

COTABATO CITY—What will you do when armed fighting is going on at 9 o'clock in the evening? How will you react when armed fighting is happening just within your village? What will come first to your mind as a mother? As a daughter? As a father? And, what about your very young kids?

These scenarios have been happening to many villagers in Mindanao for four decades already. Many years to count; too hard to forget. How long will the sufferings of people—emotionally, physically, mentally, psychologically, and socially—go on?

Just five years ago, everything was going smoothly after a recovery effort on peace building and development in the tormented land of promise: Mindanao. International peacekeepers and local bodies have been implementing and monitoring peace initiatives to push forward the on–going peace processes both at the grassroots level and at the national level.

When I heard about the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Republic of the Philippines, I could not explain the happiness I felt for the possibility of ending the conflict, for the settling down of the people in Southern Philippines, for a better life and a better future.

However, on 8 August 2008, the positive anticipation was broken into million pieces. Armed clashes from one village to another happened days after the Supreme Court of the Philippines released a temporary restraining order of the signing of the MOA.

"The Barangay Officials informed us to leave our homes as soon as we can to save our lives and some properties, if possible. I thought of my baby and hurriedly escaped from the clashes," Aling Rosa of North Cotabato said.

Aling Rosa is just one family member of the 500 families from three villages who rushed to the evacuation centers. She is just one family member of 50,000 families who suffered from the humanitarian crisis in Mindanao. She is just one of the thousands of women who have to survive for herself, her family, for her baby, and for their future.

Records show that women, children, and elderly make up most of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the evacuation centers. Apparently, women are managing their evacuation centers; whilst men stay behind their homes in their own villages and communities to look after their houses, properties, crops, livestocks, and other livelihood assets.

On the other hand, community volunteers from the areas affected by the on-going conflict in Mindanao have felt restlessness as they offer their time and service to their constituents.

"We have been very busy since the beginning of the evacuation of the villagers from their communities since the armed men are getting closer and roaming in their villages," one of the volunteers said.

In Tulunan town, province of Cotabato, the local government unit has expressed their appreciation in the role of community leaders and volunteers especially the women because they have become a vital support in the efficient and effective facilitation of the management of the relief and evacuations.

Women have been working from dawn to dusk undertaking different functions despite the restlessness due to the traumatic situation. They manage evacuation centers, mobilizes IDPs, facilitate in proper enlisting of identified beneficiaries, relief items distribution (i.e. ration of rice, blankets, mosquito nets, and others), and most especially addressing issues and concerns within the evacuation centers.

The evacuees need food and safe drinking water, above all, their safety as civilians during armed–conflict. There have been several reports stating that the armed clashes have violated several humanitarian laws and humanitarian rights of the civilians. Currently, there have been calls from several groups and non–government organizations for the adherence of the international laws in time of war and in peace such that civilian rights should be respected at all times.

"We have to help each other here in the evacuation center, because after all we are all at the same footing — evacuees suffering from atrocities of armed–conflict — so we need everybody's help not finger pointing," a volunteer said.

Editor's Note: The writer of this article is unnamed for her protection.

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