Pagpati'ut - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

Mediating Violence In Sulu
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Four days prior to the conduct of the survey, residents have temporarily
gone to evacuation centers for fear of an armed encounter between the
warring camps. The escalation is due to the accusation of one group
against the other to be the cause of death of a member.
The community, though, is not totally polarized between the two
capital, authority and resources is present in the area – an incumbent
municipal councilor. The councilor seemingly acts as the umpire between
holds more authority and power. His presence diffuses the tension in the
community. The Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 (MBLT3) of the AFP has
parties and taking on the role of peacekeepers.
has been settled at the nearby municipality of Panglima Estino, through
the facilitation of the TSS and the HD Centre, and with the support of the
MBLT3.
Similar to the other areas, Barangay Niangkaan is underdeveloped. The
capital or other means of livelihood (See Table 2).
Roads are unconstructed and there are very few infrastructures. There is
a public elementary school and an adult learning center in the Barangay.
Thirty-seven (37%) of the respondents have entered primary education,
20% secondary, and 15% college (See Table 3).
Barangay Niangkaan is the site of a long-standing land dispute between
two clans and their respective allies. The dispute has been under the
mediation of the TSS. According to interviews, approximately 80% of