DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 27 December) — The Insider Mediators in Mindanao, particularly in the Bangsamoro, was organized in September 2016. It is a platform for Bangsamoro women and men from civil society, government and the Moro revolutionary fronts.
It is in their divergent voices on issues about the Bangsamoro that strengthen their position as mediators inside the areas of conflict.
The IM worked on three basic themes: the Bangsamoro peace process, Marawi rehabilitation and Federalism.
They worked closely with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) that drafted the Bangsamoro Basic Law, some of them even becoming members of the BTC itself or part of the technical working groups.
They also vigorously lobbied in Congress for the retention of key provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) into what would become Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Marawi Siege lasted for five months – from May 23, 2017 until President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city “liberated from the terrorist influence” on October 17, 2017.
But before the guns fell silent in Marawi City in 2017, the Insider Mediators already helped craft plans for rehabilitation even as some of their members were themselves victims of war.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, insider mediation draws upon the abilities of institutions or individuals that are seen as “insiders” within a given context to broker differences, build consensus, and resolve conflict.
The experience of Insider Mediators in Mindanao opens new avenues and alternatives in pursuit of just and lasting peace. (MindaNews)