Pagpati'ut - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

Mediating Violence In Sulu
MESSAGE
The Australian Government, through the Australian Agency for International
Development (AusAID), is pleased to have supported this research on
mediating violence in Sulu, in partnership with the Centre for Humanitarian
Dialogue.
Armed violence is often assumed to be a fact of life in the southern Philippines,
and particularly in Sulu. This study shows that more than 50% of the population
in currently peaceful areas has witnessed armed violence, with higher results for
accepting this as a normal state of affairs. Armed violence is both a symptom of
development challenges. Instability and insecurity continue to act as a brake
process to completion contribute to unrest. There is a large opportunity cost to
not securing peace. Scarce government resources will continue to be sapped,
investment will remain constrained and efforts to raise living standards will be
diluted.
why it is important to understand the nature of such violence, to provide a
This study is an important piece of work, for while there is much research done
on the particular experience of six select communities in Sulu. Documenting
the experience of these communities, and in particular some of the positive
mediation interventions initiated by community leaders and members, will
hopefully provide a deeper understanding of some of the critical factors of
community resilience that can be replicated in similar challenging environments.
Peace and development in Sulu remains a long-term challenge for all concerned,
but hopefully this publication leads us all a small step closer to understanding
what needs to change for peace to be achieved at local levels. We are committed
to continue to work with the Philippine Government and all peaceful stakeholders
to address these challenges.
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OCTAVIA BORTHWICK
Minister Counsellor
AusAID Philippines