Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Security Sector convene during the Bangsamoro Peace Institute Cohort 6, led by the Ministry of Peace, Order, and Safety (MPOS) on December 8 to 10, 2024, at Blue Lotus Hotel, Davao City. (Comenei Ali/BIO)
DAVAO CITY— The Bangsamoro Government called on peace stakeholders, particularly the security sector, to strengthen peace initiatives and collaboration to foster a stable and secure environment in the region.
The call was made during the 6th cohort of the Bangsamoro Peace Institute training organized by the Ministry of Order and Safety (MPOS)on December 8-10 held at Blue Lotus Hotel in this city.
MPOS Minister Hussein Muñoz emphasized the importance of cooperation with various peace stakeholders.
“In this generation, where security challenges evolve in complexity, your commitment to learning conflict resolution and integrating these strategies into broader development initiatives is both timely and commendable,” he said.
“This conference is not merely an event, but a testament to our shared dedication to these essential principles. Through your participation, you are not only equipping yourselves with vital skills and knowledge but also leading the way to a more prosperous and more secure future for your communities,” he added.
Al-Ihsaan Chairperson Jorge Kiman, a participant from Basilan, highlighted the crucial role of partnerships between civil society organizations (CSOs) and the security sector in achieving sustainable peace and development.
“Partnering between CSOs and Security sector addresses the root causes of instability such as poverty, marginalization, historical grievances among others eventually fostering trust and achieving sustainable peace in the region,” Kiman added.
PNP Police Director of Tawi-Tawi, PCOL Rodolfo Inoy Jr., discussed the province’s relatively peaceful security situation.
“We are very lucky in Tawi-Tawi because we are the most peaceful province in BARMM, our crime volume is very low based on the previews election,” he said.
UNDP Cotabato Field Office Head Winston Camarinas emphasized the complex nature of the Bangsamoro region, citing factors such as the exclusion of Sulu and the extension of the BARMM transition period.
“Right now the nature of conflict in BARMM has shifted, before it was very vertical revolutionary forces and security forces clashing now it has been resolved, but it doesn’t end there there are too many horizontal conflicts that the police and CSOs have to deal with,”
Camarinas also announced plans to extend support to the island provinces, recognizing the limited resources available to them. The Australian government, through UNDP Philippines, provided the primary funding for this program. (Majid Nur/BIO)
