Mindanao civic leader is new Inquirer columnist

Rufa Cagoco-Guiam, a retired professor of sociology of the Mindanao State University–General Santos City and a convener of the civic assembly Independent Working Group on Transitional Justice and Dealing with the Past in the Bangsamoro, joins the Inquirer today as a columnist for “Kris-Crossing Mindanao.” She will alternate with Antonio Montalvan II in the weekly column that appears every Monday.

Guiam, 66, has previously contributed to Inquirer on Mindanao issues, particularly on the war in Marawi and its aftermath.

“War is a dehumanizing experience. It can transform erstwhile meek human beings into ruthless, beast-like creatures out there for the blood, or for the kill,” she wrote in “War brings out the beast in humans” (9/11/17).

Interestingly, her first contribution to Inquirer was a High Blood commentary for Father’s Day in 2016, where  she wrote about growing up without a father.

Originally from Bohol, Cagoco-Guiam became, in her own words, a “Bangsamoro by choice and affinity,” and now calls Mindanao her second and permanent home.

She brings to the Inquirer opinion pages a perspective on Mindanao that comes from years of immersion and advocacy work in peace and development efforts in the region.

Guiam has previously written extensively about Mindanao for other publications, and has received grants to study gender, conflict and cultural issues.