48 | HUMANITY AMIDST CONFLICTS communities do assert Memorandum of Prof. Miriam Ferrer: Understanding such that, that takes the forms of “T think the real question is, what do you do about spacesforpeace notjust onlyfor theArmed Forces the armed groups becauseit is easy to run after ofthe Philippines butfor the armed groups. the state agents because they are visible. With regard to the armed groups, how do you enforce “Now, the most recent developments which I think the IHL? And secondly, that has always been the mostfragile is the declaration ofSOMO and asked, and the premises are really true. I think SOMA of both parties. I think that is what we we will have to go beyond theformalinstitutions need tofocus on at this point. WhatI would like for these. Weall know that waris being waged to mention following the declaration of SOMO in the nameofthe people. Thatit is being waged and SOMA,the governmentis now planningfor with the claimsthat it hasfor the public’s hearts the return of evacuees. This is now, in fact, the and minds. So when the armed groups realized main topic that is being discussed among Civil that the space is constricting in the community Society Organizations. Whatis going to happen precisely because of the violence that surround when the government plans the return of that kind of condition, then it makes them think evacuees and making sure that this return of how they behave. So it can happen,let’s say in a evacuees happen — 1) in a voluntary manner; 2) Mangyan community, they will be telling the inan orderlyfashion, and 3) that the returns are armed groups — please stay only one night, sustainable. Now,the key elementin sustainable otherwise, we might be the ones to leave. returns is of course the safety of civilians. And Mangyans are known to be mild people unlike even thenit will become paramount, that kind of some communities they usuallyflee insteadof ... understanding between communities and armed But it is a statement that forces that kind of groups. thinking with regard to the whole concept ofan armed revolution to be able to change oursociety. “In one meeting that we had in Central Mindanao, “So I think that event of paradigm shift might where we hadthe officers of the 6" Infantry happen in the armed groupsto really seek out Battalion and where we explainedthe importance more peaceful means in order to advancetheir ofIHL andits application particularly in making social agenda. Butit is a process that requires a sure that the IDPs themselves have the right to step by step and from small communities to negotiate safe placesfor themselves. They did not bigger communities.” feel that they were receiving the short end. I think it was an opportunity for mutual understanding. Comm. Quisumbing: Because,initially the leaders ofthe 6" IB who were “We are going to breakfor lunch now but before assigned in Central Mindanao thought that this that we are going to give you the workshops evacuation camp management committees ofIDPs mechanics. Thank you very muchto all our were meant to make direct complaints against panelists who have comefrom differentplaces as military itself. After the dialogue has successfully far as Mindanao. We hope that you canall stay been concluded, I think it established mutual trust for the actual workshop because all the and mutual terms of reference in terms of the recommendations will be submitted to all conductofall parties in Mindanao.” reactors, the state and non-state actors.”