Traditional conflict resolution practices among the Iranun people in Mindanao involve councils of elders and religious principles. Common sources of conflict include issues with honor, land, family relations, and elections. The council of elders facilitates discussions between parties to find an agreement. Women also play an important role in the process. Successful cases are presented, including ending long-running clan feuds, or "ridos", through the efforts of local councils and multisectoral groups. The presentation discusses the interplay between large-scale conflicts and community-level disputes in Mindanao.

1. Traditional Ways of Conflict Transformation in
Mindanao:
Iranun of Maguindanao Experience
Presentation for the UIC Davao students, September 23, 2015.
Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan
Executive Director, Al Qalam Institute

2. Introduction
This presentation aims to discuss briefly the following:
 Description of the Islamized IPs, particularly the Iranun’s conflict
resolution methods and practices;
 Types of conflict and the existing Conflict resolution practices
 Role of women in conflict resolution and transformation
 Success Stories
 In relation to the over all peace process.

3. Brief Description of Conflict Resolution
Types of Conflict
Traditional Conflict
Resolution
Mechanism
LGU/LA mechanisms
“murder/homicide
due to rido”
Intervention of
Council of elders/
“Pat-a-Migkaka”
Arbitration/courts
Qur’an
Hadith
Qiyas
Ijma
Common Causes of
Conflict
“tarnished /
damaged
maratabat”

4. Conflict and Resolution Mechanism
Common Root Cause of
Conflict
 Maratabat: it is commonly described
as the "pride" or "ego" of the person,
family, clan, or community. However,
"maratabat's" old meaning and
significance refers to the integrity or
honor of the person or his/her family,
clan and community.
Conflict Resolution
Mechanism
 The Pat-a-Migkaka (Council of Elders)
- Amay Dumpaw. The Pat-a-Migkaka
has the following roles: leads the
Iranun communities, handles and
resolves conflict, settles family
relations (marriages, divorce,
distribution of inheritance), traces
nobility or royalty, authority to
enthrone.

5. Sources of indigenous laws:
 Taritib: it means the "ordinance".
 Religious sources: Al Qur'an. Hadith, Sunnah, and Ijma
(consensus)

6. Types of Conflict and Resolution Mechanism
Conflict
 Election related violence
Resolution Mechanism
 The Council of Elders facilitate on the
initial discussions for reconciliation.
Once the ground work is done,the CE
calls for a “Kanduli”. At some
instances, “kapembanguna” or “blood
money is involved to resolve the
conflict

7. Types of Conflict and Resolution Mechanism
Conflict
 Land conflict
Resolution Mechanism
 This conflict is resolved by retaining
the natural boundaries. Settlement is
done by the elders and the CE.
Assistance from the government and
line agencies.

8. Types of Conflict and Resolution Mechanism
Conflict
 Family relations
 issue on inheritance
 marital problems
 Elopement
 Homicide/murder
 distribution of wealth
Resolution Mechanism
 These conflicts are commonly settled
by the elders of the family, clan, or
the community.
 On marital problems:
 Council of elders facilitates if parties
agree.

9. Types of Conflict and Resolution Mechanism
Conflict
 Claim for nobility matters
 Domestic crimes and problem of law
and enforcement
Resolution Mechanism
 One of the major roles of the CE or
“Pat-a-Migkaka”
 Existing mechanisms

10. Role of Women
 Women play an important role in the conflict resolution process. However,
there are also instances that they are the cause of conflict.
 Women’s nature as trustworthy and “mother-like” figure in the community
is also a big factor why women can help in addressing conflict.
 Take the case of the women’s role in the GPH – MILF peace process.

11. General Description of Traditional Proceedings
Raising the issue or
complaint to the
Pat-a-Migkaka / CE
Discussion and
consultation to
both parties (done
separately)
Independent
process of
investigation of the
CE
If successful, a
kanduli is
conducted
If not successful,
parties are given a
time to “cool off”,
respondent/s is
ordered to transfer
to another place

12. SUCCESS STORIES:
ENDING RIDO

13. Localized Conflicts
Usually involves feuding families
Has historical precedence
With cultural and political dimensions
Commonly referred as Rido
Characterized by violent retaliatory attacks
between feuding families
Kinship and political connections used to mobilized militias controlled by
State forces, politicians and rebel groups
Rido is the underside of a wider Government-Rebel
Conflicts

14. Rido (Clan Feud)
 Thousands of people had been killed for many decades now
 Many livelihood opportunities of the rido-affected communities were
limited and even restricted
 Resulted to destruction of property

15. Family 2
Family 1
Family 3
MILF Local Command
Politician
Tracing the Interplay of Large Scale and
Community-Level Conflicts
Armed Forces
CAFGU/CVO
MNLF Local Command

16. Rido’s Resolved
 Through the efforts of Government and Non-Government Offices,
many rido cases had been settled in the areas of Maguindanao
 It usually need the help of wide multi sectoral body to address this
problem.

17. Case Studies

18. Imam-Macapeges Rido
 Background:
 Parties involved are relatives. However, the heads of the families in
both clan run for mayor in the ele ction in 2001. It strained their
relationships that brought to rido.
 nine relatives and two bystanders have been killed and 13 others
injured during the “rido” (clan feud) between the Macapeges and Imam
families.
 Intervention:
 Council of Elders from different clans assisted in addressing the
conflict.

19. Imam-Macapeges Resolution
When: January 30, 2008

20. Malambut,Cudading –
Madi,Cawi,Macauyag Rido
 Warring Iranun clans in the towns of Buldon and Barira
ended 40 years of rido and signed a covenant to settle
disputes
 Cause of the rido was a case of mistaken identity
 Multi sectoral group, NGOs, and CEs assisted settling the
conflict.

21. Malambut – Madi, Cawi, Macauyag
When: September 2015.

22. References:
 Read more: http://www.mindanews.com/c3-news/2008/01/30/2-clans-in-
matanog-settle-rido-sign-peace-pact/
 http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/535838/news/regions/warring-
iranun-clans-sign-covenant-to-end-40-year-rido
 Al Qalam Series of FGDs in 2013
 Tasbikka Reports, 2014.

23. TWO DIMENSIONS OF THE PEACE PROCESS
VerticalDimension GPH
MILF
*Political Solution
Horizontal Dimension
• Muslim Community
• Christian Community
• IPs
• Philippine Nation
*Long Term Solution

24. Thank you!
Questions?