maguindanao massacre

The Maguindanao massacre, violent as it already was, is a source of more violence. But the task of helping bridge groups and transcending biases of tribes and of roles in society (military vis-à-vis CSOs) have been a source of energy for us to continue our peacebuilding work. Balay Mindanaw as an institution is steadfast in its vision of peace even with the changes in the political and peace terrain in Mindanao. The work we are doing in Maguindanao may seem to have stretched Balay Mindanaw’s scope but it did not. It only gave us an opportunity to be flexible and proactive in our peacebuilding work. The limited funds has not been a hindering factor, nor is the lack of capacity to do widen our scope. The will as an institution to do what needs to be done is key in this experience of continually bridging people and groups towards building relationships among those who have been victims of violence.

The massacre’s impact on me is very personal, even if I have been involved in this as a staff. This experience enabled me to be trusting – to my mentors and to the process itself, and to myself. I know that the GWPG’s composition is so diverse that one need to be sensitive in dealing with issues such as death, oppression, violations, roles, power, biases, discrimination; which could emit emotions like anger, remorse, disgust, self-pity, doubts; and produces reactions like defensiveness, timidity, aggressiveness.

This journey hit me real hard as OP Kors! graduates bombarded me, through text messages, with questions. “Bok, why did you let me be here!?” “Aren’t you my mentor?” “Ano na ang gagawin ko?” (What should I do now?). They have questioned my sincerity in being a peace builder. These questions shook me and made me shout till I cried out loud, and said to myself: “Hey, I am just a trainer, not your supervisor!” Yet, after honest conversations and continued communications, the succeeding messages – like “No more gunshots for three days, I am already with the