From No Man’s Land to Promise Land: Narratives on Destigmatizing Marag Valley’s Catastrophic War

RELIGION AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATION VOLUME 22, NO. 1 (2024)

ISSN 1686-9184

Author

Ronald O. Ocampo and Rema Bascos-Ocampo

Abstract

In this study, the focus was on exploring the narratives of Marag Valley residents and how they undertook the challenging task of destigmatizing the aftermath of the catastrophic war following the occupation of the Communist Party of the Philippines- New Peaples’ Army (CPP-NPA.) Employing a qualitative research design with a specific emphasis on the narrative method, the research delved into the firsthand accounts and experiences of eight local participants. These participants, predominantly leaders within various sectors across the three barangays in Marag Valley, provided invaluable insights into the strategies and mechanisms they employed to destigmatize the war’s impact.

The analysis of the narratives led to the identification of eight prominent sub-themes that encapsulated the multifaceted nature of the destigmatization process. These sub-themes included the effectiveness of government peace agreements, the role of government interventions, the significance of inter-agency collaboration, the creation of a positive community image, the emphasis on the value of education, the utilization of Marag Valley as a tourist destination, the incorporation of ethical values, and the influential role of social media promotion.

The findings underscored the interconnectedness of various factors contributing to the destigmatization efforts, emphasizing not only governmental and institutional initiatives but also the pivotal role played by community values, education, and media in reshaping the narrative surrounding the war’s aftermath in Marag Valley. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, community leaders, and researchers interested in understanding the dynamics of post-conflict recovery and community resilience.

Keywords

promise land, narratives, destigmatizing, war

References

Aldiabat, Khaldoun M., and Carole-Lynne Le Navenec. “Data saturation: The Mysterious Step in Grounded Theory Methodology.” The Qualitative Report 23, no.1 (2018): 245-261.

Bates, Jessica A. “Use of Narrative Interviewing in Everyday Information Behavior Research.” Library & Information Science Research 26, no. 1 (2004): 15-28.

Belarde, Sonia, Fe Talamayan, Jessel Diamante, and Allan Ancheta. “Marag Valley’s Ravaging War: Chronicles of Survival.” International Journal of Novel Research in Humanity and Social Science 3, no. 5 (2016): 49-56.

Berman, Helene, Estella Rosa Irías Girón, and Antonia Ponce Marroquín. “A Narrative Study of Refugee Women who have Experienced Violence in the Context of War.” Canadian Journal of Nursing Research Archive 38, no. 4 (2006): 31-53.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “War of the Pacific.” Encyclopedia Britannica. December 9, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/event/War-of-the-Pacific.

CANVAS. “Only in the Philippines.” January 9, 2024. Retrieved from artsandculture.google.com. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/only-in-the-philippines-center-for-art-new-ventures-sustainable-development-canvas/zgXRkeopr5qoJQ?hl=en

De Dios, Emmanuel. “The Truth about the Economy under the Marcos Regime.” University of the Philippines School of Economics. November 17, 2017. https://econ.upd.edu.ph/perse/?p=5058

Deinla, Imelda, and Rosalie Hall. “The Marawi Siege and after: Managing NGO-Military Relations.” Lowly Institute.org. September 24, 2019. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/marawi-siege-after-managing-ngo-military-relationsTop of Form

Duignan, Brian. “Insurrection.” Encyclopedia Britannica. January 6, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/insurrection-politics.

Frankel, Joseph. “War.” Encyclopedia Britannica. December 21, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/topic/war.

Jacobsen, Karen, Anastasia Marshak, and Matthew Griffith. “Increasing the Financial Resilience of Disaster-Affected Populations.” Washington, DC: OFDA, USAID, 2009.

Levy, Jack. “The Causes of War and the Conditions of Peace.” Annual Review of Political Science 1 (1998): 139-165. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.polisci.1.1.139

Logdat, Aldrin R. “Gods, Spirits, and Rituals: Amplifying Mangyans’ Indigenous Wisdom and Resilience in the Age of Pandemic and Ecological Catastrophes.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 17, no. 4 (2023): 253-256.

Lo-oy, Leonora. “yApayao cum laude is first PMA graduate of former NPA Stronghold.” Gurupress-cordillera.com, May 19, 2023. https://www.gurupress-cordillera.com/post/yapayao-cum-laude-is-first-pma-graduate-from-npa-infested-community#:~:text=CDT%201CL%20Jose%20Agpuldo%20of,the%20Apayao%20Provincial%20Information%20Office.

Moseley, Alexander. “The Philosophy of War.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/war/. Accessed 8 January 2024.

Murray, Benjamin. “Internal and External Support Systems Essentials for Thriving in Autumn (and Beyond).”. LinkedIn, September 26, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/internal-external-support-systems-essential-thriving-autumn-murray

Muylaert, Camila Junqueira, et al. “Narrative Interviews: An Important Resource in Qualitative Research.” Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP 48 (2014): 184-189.

Nelson, James. “Using Conceptual Depth Criteria: Addressing the Challenge of Reaching Saturation in Qualitative Research.” Qualitative Research 17, no. 5 (2017): 554-570.

Refworld.org. “The Communist Insurgency in the Philippines: Tactics and Talks.” Asia Report N°202, February 14, 2011. https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4d5a310e2.pdf

Saunders, Benjamin, et al. “Saturation in Qualitative Research: Exploring Its Conceptualization and Operationalization.” Quality & Quantity 52 (2018): 1893-1907.

Schonfeld, David J., et al. “Providing Psychosocial Support to Children and Families in the Aftermath of Disasters and Crises.” Pediatrics 136, no. 4 (2015): e1120-e1130.

Stanford University. Mapping Militant Organizations. “Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.” Encina Hall, 616 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305-6055. Last modified August 2018. https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/communist-party-philippines-new-peoples-army

World Health Organization. “Mental Health and Forced Displacement.” August 31, 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-and-forced-displacement

Yuson, Alfred A. Philippines: Islands of Enchantment. VT, USA: Tuttle Publishing, 2013.

PAGES 192-218

DOI:  

https://doi.org/10.62461/RORBO121523

Submitted:7.3.2023; Accepted: 12.15.2023; Published: 1.31.2024