Pagpati'ut - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

Mediating Violence In Sulu
declaration translates to actions in their daily lives, an Implementing
is the setting up of a “quick response mechanism” where neighbors
empowered to address it and nip it at the bud. In every ten houses, one
is chosen as the “leader” of the group, and this leader is expected to
lead dialogues to defuse tensions. If this fails, then the issue is raised to
the attention of the Barangay and community leaders, and subsequently,
the LGU. The process that the community has undergone towards
transforming itself to a Peace Centered Community is an interesting study
that should be further explored.
It must be noted that in the established rules and regulations in the
communities, an important portion deals with arms control. 30
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There is no such mechanism for arms control or management in
possible means of collective enforcement of community-based arms
control/management, respondents agreed that there should be an
This is to be strengthened through seminars/trainings on proper arms
management, and community agreements on how to respond to violations
of the policy.
For Barangays Sionogan and Punay Poblacion, existing policies
other hand, respondents from Barangay Silangkan recognize the IRR
of their covenant. This is taken a step further when they suggested that
the promotion of the awareness of the IRR could strengthen collective
enforcement of the arms control/management policy.
30 Note that it is no longer prevalent among Sulu residents to display firearms. The AFP and PNP are the
main drivers of this move. Moreover, people are also concerned that by openly brandishing firearms
they might be mistakenly taken to be members of lawless groups or the Abu Sayyaf Group.