Members of the Moro and Indigenous Peoples (IP) Community Social Working Groups (CSWGs) convened in Cotabato City on October 30, 2025 to review 13 long-standing land dispute cases in Barangay Kuya, as part of ongoing efforts to promote peaceful and community-led land conflict resolution.
Facilitated through a community dialogue led by Atty. Mia Faller, the activity provided a structured and safe space for parties to revisit unresolved cases. Several agreements were reaffirmed, land boundaries were clarified, and a number of cases were successfully resolved through consensus-building and mutual understanding.
Strengthening Trust and Community Cooperation
The discussions underscored the strong cooperation, trust, and sustained dialogue between the Moro and IP communities in Barangay Kuya. Participants emphasized the importance of continuing peaceful, transparent, and culturally grounded processes in resolving land conflicts and preventing their escalation.
The activity concluded with a ceremonial signing of agreements and a symbolic exchange of cultural tokens, reflecting the shared commitment of the communities to reconciliation, coexistence, and lasting peace.
Sustaining Community-Led Resolution Efforts
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), together with its consortium partners UNYPAD and TLWOI, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting inclusive, community-driven mechanisms for land conflict resolution in Barangay Kuya, anchored on respect for customary practices, dialogue, and collective decision-making.
This activity was implemented under the project “Inclusive and Democratic BARMM through Transitional Justice, Conflict Transformation, and Preventing Violent Extremism” (INCLUDE BARMM), funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), and the project “Strengthening the Implementation of Regional and Local Peace and Development Agendas” (SPADe) in Mindanao—a collaborative effort with the Philippine Government, financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
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