Seven communities composed of Filipinos, Indigenous, and Muslim peoples have formed a ring of "peace communities" in North Cotabato, which lies in the center of violent struggle on the southern island of Mindanao. Since this "G7 Communities Organization" was formed by the signing of peace agreements among all parties, open violent conflict has significantly subsided.

The Philippine government calls it Balikatan (Shoulder-to-shoulder). The U.S. Military calls it "Joint Military Exercises." This year the code name is "Operation Taal" (name of a volcano near Manila.) Ostensibly, the exercises are an opportunity for 6,000 U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, to "train" Philippine military personnel and police how to handle an "emergency such as a volcanic eruption." Very few are convinced by this deception, however.

On Wednesday, 20 February 2008, North American and Filipino members of a delegation sponsored by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) joined about 100 other people at a prayer rally protesting the continued presence the U.S. military in the Philippines. The delegation issued the following statement outside the library of Olongapo City National High School: