Maladeg

Maladeg

Spanish

Official Title: Zone of Peace and Development in Maladeg

Location and Geographic Coverage
Maladeg Barangay (village) in the Municiaplity of Picong (formerly Sultan Gumander), Province of Lanao del Sur in Central Mindanao. The peace zone is bounded in the east by areas inside Turayas, in the west by Liangan-Subuan, going up to Kalumpang or Kaludan and Mamaanan in the north, and back to Turayas (Rodil 2003). The success of the peace zone has led to its expansion as barangays west of Maladeg also decided to consolidate themselves with the help of Maladeg (Barangays Pendulunan, Baropit, and Liangan). Meanwhile toward the east, four more barangays (Barangays Bulukaon, Ilian, Samboyanen, and Torangay) formed themselves with the support of UNDP (Rodil 2003).

Brief Description
Barangay Maladeg in Picong municipality in Lanao del Sur province, was already considered an informal peace sanctuary in 1978, when Muslim and Christian families residing in the area formed a committee to help put a stop to decades-long feuding among them. The original goal of setting it up was to help resolve rido (clan feud) but it eventually evolved to become a safe haven for people seeking refuge from conflict. During that time, the area was not yet called a “peace zone,” but it was already considered by residents as a buffer zone against armed conflict and crimes perpetuated by those coming from other towns. The area was formally established as a “Zone of Peace and Development” in 1998 to put on paper the unwritten agreements that led to its creation. The establishment of the Zone of Peace was supported by local stakeholders ranging from clan representatives, Muslim and Christian community leaders, local government officials, rebel leaders, military commanders, and religious leaders such as priests and the ulama (Muslim religious scholars). The rules of the zone are strict but are said to be fairly implemented by a respected council of elders which later evolved into a more formal Maladeg Peace Committee. Armed conflict, gambling, the use of prohibited drugs, and any form of criminality are prohibited inside the zone. The zone is not only off-limits to rido hostilities but also a venue for the prevention and resolution of rido by the Maladeg Peace Committee. The resolution of conflict cases by the Maladeg Peace Committee is said to be spectacularly high. When the zone was first established, the mediators did not charge for their services, nor were they compensated. However the Mayor of Picong was so impressed by the performance of the Committee that members began receiving a monthly allowance as compensation for their services. At the height of the Estrada Administration’s year 2000 All-Out-War in Mindanao, then Secretary Robert Aventajado proposed the establishment of Peace Zones in the troubled areas of Mindanao. The recognized leader of the Maladeg Peace Zone, Bob Anton claims to have influenced Secretary Aventajado to adopt the idea of peace zones.  (Source:  Gaspar, et. al. 2002 and Rodil 2003)

Comments/ Updates
Maladeg is an example of a peace sanctuary that already existed informally even before the “first wave” of peace zones emerged in the Philippines in the mid-80s. The Maladeg Zone of Peace is quite popular among the various peace constituents in the country, but it has its share of criticisms on how some rules within the zone are enforced to keep people “in line.”

SOURCES:

Gaspar, Karl M. Elpidio A. Lapad, and Ailynne J. Maravillas. Mapagpakamalinawon: A Reader for the Mindanawon Peace Advocate. Davao: AFRIM and CRS, 2002.

Rodil, B.R. A Story of Mindanao and Sulu in Question and Answer. Davao: MINCODE, 2003.