North Cotabato Peace Advocates Launch Provincial Federation

KIDAPAWAN CITY, NORTH COTABATO—Former rebels and community peace advocates in North Cotabato province have taken another step in organizing themselves as partners in local peacebuilding, following the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the Cotabato Federation of Peace Advocates Organization, Inc. before Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza on June 5, 2026, at the Provincial Capitol in Kidapawan City.

For the members of the federation, many of whom had lived through the long years of conflict in the province, the ceremony was another public declaration that their work has shifted from armed struggle to peace advocacy, livelihood building, and community service.

The federation was formally organized on May 12, 2026, when peace advocates from different municipalities gathered at the AMAS Capitol in Kidapawan City to establish a provincial organization. While SPAND Region XII serves as the regional federation of former rebels and peace advocates across SOCCSKSARGEN, the Cotabato Federation will function as the provincial umbrella organization focused on strengthening local peace advocacy work in Cotabato.

Elected as federation president was Norma Capuyan, president of the Makilala Integrated Peace Advocates Farmers Association. She was joined by Pedro Arnado of Arakan as Vice President for External Affairs and Romeo Armodia of Tulunan as Vice President for Internal Affairs.

The federation currently brings together peace advocate organizations from Makilala, Tulunan, Magpet, and Arakan. Its leaders said they plan to expand to more municipalities, including Matalam, Midsayap, and Mlang.

According to Capuyan, one of the group’s immediate tasks is to organize and unite more former rebel organizations and peace advocate groups across the province.

“Our goal is to continue expanding the federation so that more former rebels and peace advocates can participate in programs that promote peace, development, and community empowerment,” Capuyan said. “We want the organization to become a model of peace advocacy and community transformation in Cotabato Province.”

Capuyan’s leadership carries personal and political weight. Known in the past by her nom de guerre “Ka Debra,” she once helped lead protest actions by national democratic organizations led by the Communist Party of the Philippines before later joining the New People’s Army. Today, she is among the former rebels who now work with local government and communities in advancing peace and development.

“As a former leader of a movement that fought against the government, I experienced firsthand the hardships and tensions of armed conflict,” Capuyan said. “Over time, however, I chose to change my path. Today, as a peace advocate, I focus on working with communities to promote unity, livelihood opportunities, and genuine development in areas that were once affected by conflict.”

After the oath-taking, federation officers presented their proposed activities and organizational plans. These include peace education campaigns, livelihood support initiatives, community development programs, and efforts to strengthen local peace advocate organizations in different municipalities.

Arnado said the formal induction gives the federation a stronger footing as it begins rolling out activities in Cotabato’s former conflict-affected communities.

He said the organization hopes to encourage greater community participation, strengthen local groups, and support development initiatives in areas once influenced by insurgency.

The launch also received support from regional peace advocate leaders. SPAND Region XII President Billy Berana Jr. welcomed the establishment of the provincial federation, calling it another important step in strengthening grassroots peacebuilding in SOCCSKSARGEN.

Capuyan and Berana, together with members of their respective federations, thanked Governor Taliño-Mendoza, the Provincial Government of Cotabato, and partner government agencies for supporting former rebels who have chosen the path of peace and community service.

Berana said organizations like the provincial federation give former rebels a way to contribute positively to society while helping communities reject violence and embrace development.

For the former rebels in attendance, the gathering was also a reminder that peace is not simply the absence of armed conflict. It is also the patient work of rebuilding trust, organizing communities, creating livelihood opportunities, and proving that change can be pursued without violence.

Years ago, many of today’s peace advocates lived in communities shaped by fear, uncertainty, and conflict. Today, they are helping lead efforts focused on livelihood, education, social cohesion, and community development.

As the Cotabato Federation of Peace Advocates Organization begins its work, its leaders hope to inspire more former rebels, vulnerable sectors, and community members to take part in peaceful and democratic ways of addressing local concerns.