In July 2013 the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) field team in North Cotabato helped prevent a conflict in Aleosan, North Cotabato. This ensured the safety of 82 families. With the timely intervention and assistance of the International Monitoring Team (ІМТ), the Nonviolent Peaceforce team was able to facilitate a dialogue between the conflicting parties. NP is a member of the ІМТ and provides its Civilian Protection Component (КПК). This dialogue helped ease the tension between the two groups.

It all started with a call from the barangay (district) captain who was worried about his constituents because of tensions in the area. This call alerted the NP field team in North Cotabato, who then contacted the local commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (АФП) та Ісламський фронт визволення Моро (MILF). The team used this call to inquire about the situation and to express concern over the reports they had received from the ground. At the same time, the team also asked the NP Management Team in Cotabato City to alert both the ІМТ Civilian Protection Component coordinator and the ІМТ Security Component’s Team Site One.

The Nonviolent Peaceforce team and the ІМТ Security Component’s Team Site One team arrived in the area when tensions were at their peak. The Nonviolent Peaceforce Civilian Protection Component team was able to respond quickly due to our strategic presence on the ground. The teams engaged in dialogue with the concerned parties in an effort to reach an understanding. They hoped this would prevent hostilities and subsequently prevent the displacement of civilians.

NP’s and the IMT’s efforts in responding to this situation resulted in an agreement. The conflicting parties agreed to move back their respective troops to avoid any confrontation. The intervention of the ІМТ КПК coordinator and team site one supported the reduction of tension between parties.  In the end, the overall intervention of NP and the ІМТ resulted in the safety and security of civilians. The population felt safe enough to remain in the area once assurances were given that there would be no more hostilities. This was observed by the International Monitoring Team and Nonviolent Peaceforce’s Civilian Protection Component. 

To make people feel safer, the Nonviolent Peaceforce Civilian Protection Component team was requested to stay in the area until the burial of the victims from the previous hostilities was finished. Afterwards, NP returned to base and continued monitoring the situation from its office in North Cotabato.