Conflict in One Upland and Two Coastal Communities in Northern Mindinao Its Implications to Peace-building

Abstract

This Paper describes the nature and typology of conflict in three research settings: Sebucal an unpland protected area in Mt. malindang Range Natural Park, Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental, Lapayan a rural coastal community in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte and Canaway, a urban coastal community in Iligan City. The research makes use of triangulation approachutilizing survey. focus group  discussion, key informant, interviews and secondary data analysis. Findings showed that the nature conflict in Sebucal involves stealing of animals and crops, petty quarerels, and boundary disputes in a protected area that are interpersonal or intra group in nature form within the local community. Lapayan captures the micro aspect of the "Mindanao problem" with the August 2008 MILF attack It is an intergroup conflict with national and global bearing. Domestic violence that is basically interpersonal/intra-group in nature is also present. In the case of Canaway. domestic violence, conflict among neighbours,drunkenness , petty crimes, and land disputes depict the urban blight. In regard to conflict resolution, amicable/informal settlement is the model strategy. The role of the  barangay council and the lupong lagapamayapa is crucial. lapayan's case indicated military intervention. This study exemplifies that the nature of conflict is defined by the geophysical and socioeconomic charateristics of  the setting, as well as the socio-demographic and economic profile of the local population. In a generated typology of conflict, it may manifest a combination of any of the following: simple/moderate and/or complex/intense, local and/or national/global, intergroup and/or intra group, personal/domestic and/or structural/institutional,individual and/or societal.