NP opens protection site in Lanao del Norte

In October 2013, Nonviolent Peaceforce along with the Muslim Organization of Government Employees and Professionals (MOGOP) opened a protection site in Lanao del Norte. The site is slated to serve 25 barangays, or districts, within its vicinity. It first became fully operational in December.

The main purpose of this site is to provide a neutral open space for concerned protection parties and their stakeholders. Xarifa Sanguila (national civilian protection monitor in the Lanao field team) said this site would serve as an office for open community dialogue and as a meeting place for the community-based human rights (CBHR) monitors. Xarifa told us this multipurpose site could be used as an emergency or command center and as a neutral space for conflicting parties.

The site also aims to ensure the safety and security of the communities. Its goals are to strengthen the connections and information-sharing abilities among key actors in the peace process. The centre will be designated for receiving complaints regarding human rights and international humanitarian law violations.

Mubarak Adbulrahim, the barangay captain, said that the site was good for the community and would make the civilian population feel safer. One of the community leaders Acmad Dimacaling added that since NP took the lead in this initiative, their barangay was willing to help by cooperating as partners in this venture.