From November 15 to 20, 2024, a joint Field Operations Team of PBCI and CFP accompanied a delegation of Canadian Mennonites on a Partnership Appreciation Tour in Mindanao, Philippines. The tour featured meaningful activities that strengthened relationships and celebrated shared commitments to peacebuilding, including the dedication of the Malipayon Peace Hub in Davao del Sur, led by Bagobo Tagabawa and Talaandig elders; a Sunday worship service at Managa Alliance Church; a reflective visit to the Bagobo Tagabawa Peace Shrine; a learning tour of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government center; a dialogue with leaders at Camp Darapanan, the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and bonding with the Baraguir Clan of the Maguindanao Sultanate. This journey deepened partnerships and underscored the critical role of collaboration in advancing peace, justice, and reconciliation.
The Canadian delegation included Matt Tiessen from Leamington United Mennonite Church in Ontario, as well as Dann and Joji Pantoja from Peace Mennonite Church in British Columbia. Joining the Mennonite delegation were members of the Mindanao peacebuilding community: Pastor Emil Jonathan Soriano and Bennette Grace Tenecio, both members of the Board of Trustees of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI); Joseph Ongkiko, Paula Gancero, Arafat Balono, and Nathaniel Nuelan, who are PBCI technical staff; and Edna Estrada, Lizbeth Quevedo, Gemma Sicat, and Brian Paler, volunteers from Manila.
IP Leaders Dedicate Malipayon Peace Hub
The dedication of the Malipayon Peace Hub (MPH), located within the Ancestral Domain of the Bagobo Tagabawa Tribe, was a culturally significant and deeply spiritual event. Dann Pantoja (Lakan Sumulong/Datu Pugawang) recognized and acknowledged the presence of all the tribal leaders and representatives present on behalf of the PBCI Board of Trustees.
Bai Jerlina Owok, the chieftain of the Bagobo Tagabawa, led the ceremony, supported by Matanëm Servando Owok and Bai Berna Malang, the tribe’s representative in the municipal council. Their leadership underscored the importance of ancestral heritage in peacebuilding efforts.
Datu Migketay “Vic” Saway of the Talaandig Tribe from Bukidnon delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) in fostering inclusive development and social entrepreneurship. This perspective highlighted how indigenous spirituality and traditions can shape a sustainable and equitable future for all.
Joji Pantoja, Chair and CEO of Coffee for Peace (CFP), introduced Rosie Malik-Gonzaga, who was entrusted as the custodian of the Malipayon Peace Hub. In a symbolic gesture, Rev. Norm Dyck, representing Mennonite Church Canada, handed the Custodian’s Key to Rosie, entrusting her with the responsibility of overseeing the MPH on behalf of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI). Tribal leaders present stood alongside Rosie as a powerful act of solidarity and support.
Ben Isert Bender, PBCI’s current intern from Ontario, Canada delivered a message from our long-term partner, East Zorra Mennonite Church. This congregation has been part of our inclusive development activities, especially rescuing our social enterprise initiatives during the Pandemic Crisis of 2020-2022.
Rev. Norm Dyck also presented a Plaque of Partnership to Pastor Emil Jonathan Soriano, the newly-elected chair of the PBCI Board of Trustees. This plaque symbolizes the on-going partnership and companionship between PBCI and MCCanada.
The event was expertly facilitated by Joseph Ongkiko and Bennette Grace Tenecio of PBCI, ensuring that the dedication reflected both the sacred traditions of the indigenous community and the collaborative vision of peacebuilders across cultural lines.
Joseph “Ka Boyet” Ongkiko took charge of the overall preparation for this event.
Sunday Worship Service at Managa Alliance Church
The employees of the Malipayon Peace Hub, under the leadership of Rosie Malik-Gonzaga, are deeply rooted in their faith community as members of the Managa Alliance Church. Rosie, an active lay leader in this congregation, plays a pivotal role in fostering a partnership between the Peace Hub and the local church. Together, they see their work as an integrated mission—proclaiming and demonstrating the Gospel through acts of service, reconciliation, and community development in their village. This alignment of faith and action strengthens the spiritual and social fabric of the community, making the Malipayon Peace Hub a beacon of hope and collaboration.
Benedikt Bender, the current PBCI intern from Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, actively engages with the local church during weekends, contributing his energy and presence to the fellowship.
On Sunday, November 17, during a particularly moving worship service, Matt Tiessen, a representative of Mennonite Church Canada, shared a profound testimony. He described an extraordinary spiritual experience, moved to tears by the depth and authenticity of the worship. PBCI volunteers from Manila also shared their reflections, testifying to a palpable sense of the Spirit’s presence during the service. This collective encounter of faith and worship underscored the deep spiritual connection that binds the church, the Peace Hub, and the broader peacebuilding community.
Reflective Visit to the Bagobo Tagabawa Peace Shrine
After the worship service at the Managa Alliance Church, we visited the Bagobo Tagabawa Peace Shrine, a solemn site commemorating a tragic event that occurred 32 years ago. This sacred place stands as a reminder of the massacre that devastated the Bagobo Tagabawa community on June 25, 1989.
That fateful Sunday morning, at 9:00 AM, the congregation of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Sitio Rano, Barangay Binaton, Digos City, gathered for worship. Inside the small church building, 73 members of the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe prayed together. Their devotion was brutally interrupted when heavily armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA), led by ‘Kumander Bensar,’ stormed the church and opened fire. The massacre claimed the lives of 39 individuals, including 22 children, 10 women, and 7 men. This atrocity was in retaliation for the community’s collective decision to withdraw their support for the NPA, rejecting its ideology and methods.
Our time at the shrine was marked by heartfelt sharing and reflection. We delved into the personal, communal, and national implications of this dark chapter in history. For us as individuals, it was a moment to consider how courage and conviction can sometimes come at an unimaginable cost. For communities, it highlighted the resilience of the Bagobo Tagabawa people, who continue to honor the memory of those they lost while pursuing peace. As a nation, it served as a call to reckon with our history, address injustices, and work toward a society where such violence has no place.
This visit was a poignant reminder of the transformative power of remembrance and the enduring hope that peace can be realized, even in the face of profound tragedy.
Generously hosted by BARMM and warmly welcomed by the MILF
18 November 2024, Cotabato City. The PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) embarked on a meaningful journey to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with a Canadian delegation led by Rev. Norman Dyck. This visit was an eye-opening exploration of culture, governance, and peacebuilding efforts in the region. It was made possible through the invaluable support and warm hospitality of the Office of MP Atty. Mary Ann M. Arnado, to whom we owe our deepest gratitude.
The day began at the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), where we witnessed the ongoing budget deliberations. Observing the Parliament in action was a testament to the region’s dedication to inclusive and participatory governance. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Members of Parliament, who declared a recess from their session, invited us for a photo opportunity with them, and generously shared their time and insights, leaving a lasting impression of the leadership and collaboration shaping BARMM’s future.
Next, the delegation visited the Museum of Cultural Heritage, where we delved into the rich history and traditions of the Bangsamoro people. The museum’s exhibits and the guide’s captivating storytelling painted a vivid picture of the region’s cultural diversity and resilience. This immersive experience deepened our appreciation for the heritage that forms the foundation of Bangsamoro identity.
A tour of the Parliament building, including the session halls and the offices of Members of Parliament, provided the delegation with a closer look at the operational aspects of governance. This was followed by a special visit to the Office of the Chief Minister, where we gained insights into the heart of leadership in BARMM.
During lunch at Jamaica Restaurant in Alnor Hotel, the delegation enjoyed a moment of reflection, sharing insights from the morning’s activities while savoring the flavors of local cuisine.
The most impactful part of the day was the visit to Camp Darapanan, the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), where we were warmly received by the Camp Commander Sema Bayao. The delegation engaged in a profound conversation about the role of civil society organizations in peacebuilding and the MILF’s remarkable transition from a revolutionary movement to a social movement. This dialogue underscored the resilience and commitment of the Bangsamoro people to achieve lasting peace and social transformation.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Office of MP Atty. Mary Ann Arnado for organizing these impactful engagements. Their dedication to fostering spaces for dialogue and mutual learning enriched our understanding of the region’s challenges and opportunities.
This visit strengthened our commitment to supporting sustainable peace in the Bangsamoro region. At PBCI, we believe that collaborations like these are essential to building a more harmonious and just future. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the leaders and communities of BARMM as we journey together toward peace.
Bonding with the Baraguir Clan of the Maguindanao Sultanate
On the evening of November 18, we were honored to share dinner with the Baraguir Clan, one of the three prominent descendant families of Sultan Kudarat. The warm hospitality of Datu Haron al-Rasheed Baraguir, his wife Bai Farrah Dumama Baraguir, and their children made the gathering deeply meaningful and memorable.
During the dinner, Datu Haron shared the remarkable story of how our relationship with their family evolved into a bond of mutual trust and adoption. He recounted how, at the beginning of our interactions, he suspected Dann Pantoja of being a deep-penetration agent for the Philippine military and ordered close surveillance on him. However, as conversations deepened and trust grew, this initial suspicion transformed into a meaningful friendship. The patriarch of the family, the late Hon. Datu Kharis Matalam Baraguir, formally solidified this bond by publicly adopting Dann Pantoja as a member of their family—a gesture symbolizing respect, trust, and mutual commitment.
Rev. Norm Dyck, representing Mennonite Church Canada—the sending body of Dann and Joji Pantoja—delivered a heartfelt message of appreciation. Speaking on behalf of the Mennonite faith community that has supported the Pantojas’ mission since 2005, Rev. Dyck expressed deep gratitude for the enduring friendship and kinship extended by the Baraguir Clan over nearly two decades of peacebuilding collaboration. He acknowledged the clan’s pivotal role in fostering trust and mutual respect, which have become the foundation of their shared efforts toward sustainable peace in Mindanao. Rev. Dyck also looked toward the future, expressing a strong desire to continue this meaningful partnership beyond 2024.
In this light, Dann Pantoja introduced Pastor Emil Jonathan “Jon” Soriano as the newly elected chair of the PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) Board of Trustees. He highlighted Pastor Jon’s dedication, vision, and leadership qualities, requesting the Baraguir Clan’s continued support and prayers for him as he takes on this important role. Dann’s introduction of Pastor Jon underscored the significance of unity and collaboration, emphasizing that these relationships are not only partnerships in peacebuilding but also bonds of extended family in the pursuit of justice, harmony, and reconciliation.
That evening was made even more special as it became a joint celebration of the birthdays of Dann Pantoja and Rev. Norm Dyck. The combination of heartfelt stories, shared laughter, and a spirit of familial unity turned the dinner into a memorable highlight of the Partnership Appreciation Tour. This gathering reflected not only the strength of the relationships we’ve cultivated over the years but also the enduring hope for peace and understanding across cultural and historical divides.
