MAASIM, Sarangani (August 9, 2009) – An inter-peace and development community (PDC) peace dialogue among Muslims, Christians, tribal leaders and government officials here have one voice to leave bygones the history of violence in their community and decided to move forward in harmony.
Neighboring barangays of Lumatil, Kanalo, Nomoh and Daliao are Sarangani PDCs where civilians suffered armed conflicts between government forces and rebels in the 70s.
“Alisin na natin ang poot at ang pait na dala ng Martial Law (Let’s take away the pain of Martial Law) so we can move on,” Governor Migs Dominguez said at the said dialogue August 3.
The speakers were asked to introduce themselves, how their tribes reached the place, history of violence and unity of the different tribes in the community that they still stay together as one community, hindrances to foster peace and unity in their community, efforts to maintain peace among themselves, and suggestions to the local government to support their local initiatives towards peace and development.
“Pait kaayo (It was very painful),” recalled Ustadz Wahid Alim, a Muslim elder of Lumatil. “Ayaw na naming maulit pa yun (We don’t want it to happen again).”
Alim remembered the firefights between Blackshirts and Ilaga in 1977 amidst their community.
“We the Samals believe that we become better persons when we help settle conflicts,” he said. “Sumasakit ang ulo namin kapag may nakikita kaming nag-aaway (It’s a headache every time we see people quarreling).”
“Wala naman problema. Ang mga tribu naming nagtutulungan (We have no problem. Our tribes help each other),” said Reyes Tangkong, a Blaan tribal leader.
Maasim police chief Jamero Sentina said at the dialogue the recent meeting held by the Department of Interior and Local Government in General Santos City included the Suspension Of Military Operation against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but said security patrols and police visibility continue in the communities.
Platoon leader 1st Lieutenant Aaron Gumabao under the 73rd Infantry Battalion assigned in Daliao said their cultural sensitivity taught them to join and become closer to the community.
When a flashflood hit the community recently, the community and military did sandbagging and helped residents.
“We are peacekeepers and peace-builders,” Battalion Commander Edgardo De Leon said. “Gone are the days when you hate the army. We are not the same army that you knew decades before.”
From August last year, the battalion had built a day-care center in barangay Nomoh and repaired classrooms in the villages of Lumatil, Pananag, Daliao and Colon.
“We are here to serve the people,” De Leon said. He taught his men the KKNB which means Kumaway, Kumamay, Ngumiti, at Bumati (To wave, shake hands, smile, and greet).
Dominguez told the dialogue the prime suspect for the twin grenade attacks in the poblacion in June and previous bombings in Maitum and Kiamba had been arrested and now gives information to the police and the military for the arrest of other perpetrators.
“Ipaglaban natin ang kapayapaan at sundin natin ang batas (Let us fight for peace and obey the rule of law),” Dominguez said.
“We are all a community and we are responsible for each other. This is not just a problem of Christians or Muslims or the tribal people.” (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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