The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Inc. (CBCS) gathered 30 Civilian Protection volunteers coming from different areas in Maguindanao Province and Cotabato City for a 2-day Training of Civilian Protection Volunteers on Incidence Documentation and Early Warning Response (EWER). The activity was conducted last July 27-28, 2022 at St. Joseph Retreat House, D.O.S, Maguindanao. The activity is under the project dubbed as “CPC-ATTAIN Bangsamoro (Accompanying the Transition, Transformation of conflict, and Advocacy on social cohesion in the Normalization of Bangsamoro)” of CBCS with the European Union and Non-violent Peaceforce.

Civilian Protection Volunteers’ who participated come from different municipalities in Maguindanao including North Upi, South Upi, Datu Piang, Mamasapano, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Ampatuan, Barira, Buldon, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Pagalungan, Talitay, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat, Matanog, Pandag, Buluan, Talayan, Shariff Aguak, Guindulungan, and Cotabato City.

The invited Resource Speakers were able to share their expertise in achieving the training objectives.  Mr. Sarato D. Pasante of the Non-violent Peaceforce discussed International Humanitarian Law,  Civilian Protection Component of the GPH-MILF Peace Implementing Panel, and Early Warning and Early Response (EWER). Atty. Alpha Carole Pontanal of UNHCR talked about the International Standards on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Civilians on Conflict Situations. Mr. Aldahas Kanakan explained about the Human Rights Protection and Promotion, Basics of Effective Field Monitoring, Investigation and Documentation. On the Child Protection lens in Civilian Protection was presented by Mr. Sadam T. Ulama and Ms. Julie E. Esmael presented the Protection Mainstreaming.

CBCS Civilian Protection volunteers organized themselves as the MagCot Civilian Protection Network and identified focal persons representing respective sectors and municipalities. Mr. Ahmad Pasandalan was voted to take the lead while Ms. Arlene Catuyan will act as the deputy and Mr. Abdul Ampatuan being the group secretary. The volunteers tasked themselves to monitor, verify, and report Civilian Protection and Human Rights issues and concerns in their respective communities.

Similar activity was also conducted last June 8-9, 2022 for North Cotabato/ SGA volunteers. Another series of the Civilian Protection and Human Rights training will be conducted in the coming months for the areas of Lanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi provinces. These series of trainings aim to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of CBCS Civilian Protection Volunteers in monitoring, validation, documentation, and reporting of issues and incidences of Civilian Protection and Human Rights Violations This will be in support to the Bangsamoro peace processes and the Bangsamoro Transition.