Philippines and NP: a success story

In NP’s work, it is very difficult to quantify results and the team has not been active long in Philippines, but as noted in the activities (fiche 15) there is already appreciation and understanding from civil society and parties to the conflict about the role of unarmed international peacekeepers, and Nonviolent Peaceforce’s methodology and approach. There have been some impact already, just by visiting a previously isolated area, it increases the confidence of civil society and opens new communication lines in the area.

The following ‘impact’ is expected on an evolving basis after the deployment of ICPs in its different phases.

• a) Increased safety of civilians during the peace process

  • Increased safety of those accompanied;

  • Increased safety for IDPs return;

  • Increased numbers of IDPs return

• b) Reduced levels of and potential for violence

  • Reduction of violence in communities where we would have presence;

  • Refined early warning and early response system through close collaboration between communities, civil society and authorities at all levels

• c) Increased awareness about the human rights situation and operational mechanism to prevent human rights violations

  • Peace and human rights activists feel safer;

  • Groups working for peace, justice and human rights are more connected

• d) Increased confidence and creativity of local civilians’ activities as a result of improved safety

  • Space opened for activists to work in communities where they would not risk to work without international presence;

  • Increased knowledge and skills in conflict transformation methods through peaceful means;

  • Increased participation of women in NGO work;

  • Increased cooperation among NGO’s and responsive networking;

  • Better access of local NGO’s to international actors

• e) Increase the likelihood of peace with justice through civilian participation

  • Empower peace committees in villages through presence and advice

• f) Institutional activity

  • Monitoring and evaluation of the project avoids negative side effects and highlight lessons to learn for future projects

Other than above mentioned points, there would be more generalized impact as described below.

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  • Anticipated impact on equality between men and women: Increased awareness of the roles women play in peace-building. Increased support for women peacemakers. The field teams model a harmonious and respectful working environment of both men and women, which is then adapted by other organisations.

  • Anticipated impact on civil and political rights: Increased knowledge and use of human rights legislation and more trust in the judicial process.

  • Anticipated impact on socio/economic rights: Increased cross-cultural awareness and trust. Stronger communities. Peaceful re-integration of internally displaced persons.

  • Anticipated impact on democratisation and good governance: Increased citizen involvement in public affairs and the peace process. Civil society more representative of all parts of society. The diplomatic level peace process is more linked to civil society.

The following indicators will signify that the NP Project’s mission in the Philippines is accomplished:

• when the local civil society would be well connected with human rights bodies and agencies at the international level to the extent that it has its own proactive rapid response system.

• when the local civil society attains the status of a well-coordinated platform representing civilian perspectives that is able to act as a deterrent force to violence and a propelling force to the peace process.

• when NP’s Asia Office, East Asia Office and other Member Organisations in the region are thoroughly networked with the Project’s local partners in Philippines to maintain NP’s strong links with the partners and other stakeholders.

For the limited time the project has been active there is already evidence of more confidence in civil society. The partner organizations in Sulu extended their deep gratitude to NP in coming and staying in solidarity with them during the recently started firefights in Sulu between ASG & AFP. The local groups work on human rights issues introduced NP to Children and adults who are direct victims of human rights abuses.

According to one key human rights activist, whose group is mainly women activists who get direct threats from armed groups, “I and my group feel more safe and confident in NP presence to work on human rights violation cases of arbitrary detention, beheadings, harassment, tortures, etc”.