CHAPTER 4

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

This presents the data collected from respondents.

Profile of the Respondent

Table 1

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents Gender

The respondents were asked to indicate their gender.

Gender Frequency Percentage
Male 37 74%

Female 13 26%

Total 50 100%

Table 1 shows that the study found out that 74% of the respondents were

male while 26% were female. This shows that majority of religious leaders in

Cotabato city are male.

15
 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 16

Table 2

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents According to their Age.

N=50

The respondents were also asked to indicate the stage of life and their age.
Stage of life Age Frequency Percentage
Adolescence Below-20 years old 2 4%
Early Adulthood 21-35 years old 25 50%
Midlife 36-50 years old 12 24%
Mature Adulthood Above 51 years old 11 22%
Total 50 100%

Table 2 shows the majority of religious leaders were Early Adulthood

between 21-35 years old with frequency of 25 or 50% while the other 12 or 24%

belong to Midlife that age bracket of 36-50, also there are 11 or 22% belong to

Mature Adulthood that age bracket of above 51 years old. However, there are 2

respondents 2 or 4% belong to Adolescence that age bracket of below 20 years old.

This indicates that most of the respondents are Early Adulthood in the age bracket

of 21-35 years old. This age bracket does indicate a stage of life by the following:

Adolescence (Ages 12-20): Passion – The biological event of puberty

unleashes a powerful set of changes in the adolescent body that reflect themselves

in a teenager’s sexual, emotional, cultural, and/or spiritual passion. Adolescence

passion thus represents a significant touchstone for anyone who is seeking to

reconnect with their deepest inner zeal for life (Armstrong, 2020).

Early Adulthood (Ages 20-35): Enterprise – It takes enterprise for young

adults to accomplish their many responsibilities, including finding a home and

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 17

mate, establishing a family or circle of friends, and/or getting a good job. This

principle of enterprise thus serves us at any stage of life when we need to go out

into the world and make our mark (Armstrong, 2020).

Midlife (Ages 35-50): Contemplation – After many years in young adulthood

of following society’s scripts for creating a life, people in midlife often take a break

from worldly responsibilities to reflect upon the deeper meaning of their lives, the

better to forge ahead with new understanding. This element of contemplation

represents an important resource that we can all draw upon to deepen and enrich

our lives at any age (Armstrong, 2020).

Mature Adulthood (Ages 50-80): Benevolence – Those in mature adulthood

have raised families, established themselves in their work life, and become

contributors to the betterment of society through volunteerism, mentorships, and

other forms of philanthropy. All of humanity benefits from their benevolence.

Moreover, we all can learn from their example to give more of ourselves to others

(Armstrong, 2020).
 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 18

Table 3

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents’ Civil Status

N=50

The respondents were also asked to indicate their Civil Status.

Civil Status Frequency Percentage
Married 46 92%

Single 4 8%

Total 50 100%

Table 3 shows that the civil status of the respondents, wherein majority are

with a frequency of 49 or 98%. Single has a 4 or 8%. This indicates that most of

the respondents are married.

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 19

Table 4

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents’ Religion

N=50

The respondents were also asked to indicate their Religion.

Religion Frequency Percentage
Islam 45 90%

Christianity 5 10%

Total 50 100%

Table 4 Show that the majority of the respondents are Islam, wherein

majority are with a frequency of 45 or 90%. Single has a 5 or 10%. This indicates

that most of the respondents are Islam.

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 20

Table 5

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents’ Educational

Attainment

N=5

The respondents were also asked to indicate their Educational Attainment.

Educational Attainment Types of Education Frequency Percentage
Thanawi Arabic 4 8%
Kuliya Arabic 18 36%
Magister Arabic 7 14%
Doctorate Arabic 2 4%
High School English 0 0%
College English 5 10%
Master English 11 22%
Doctorate English 3 6%
Total 50 100%

Table 5 shows that 18 or 36% of the responded has attended kuliya level of

arabic education followed by master level in english with frequency of 11 or 22%, 7

or 14% magister level in arabic education, 4 or 8% had an thanawi while doctorate

level in english education with frequency of 3 or 6% and doctorate of arabic

education with frequency 2 or 4%.

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 21

Table 6

Mean and Description of the Level of Extent of the Respondents on

Causes of Violence

N=50

Causes of Violence Mean Description

1. Poverty 4.86 Very great extent
2. Low level of education 4.43 Very great extent

3. Political discrimination 2.71 Moderate extent

4. Economic marginalization 3.86 Great extent

5. Discriminative law enforcement practices 3.00 Moderate extent
6. Lack of employment 4.43 Very great extent
7. Religious fanatism 1.14 No extent
8. Search for self identification 1.71 No extent
9. Poor parenting 2.00 Little extent
Total 3.13 Moderate extent
Note:1.00-1.80 no extent, 1.81-2.60 little extent, 2.61-3.40 moderate extent,
3.41- 4.20 great extent and 4.21-5.00 very great extent.

Table 6 shows that the respondents indicated that poverty contributed to

violence in Cotabato City a very great extent (mean=4.86), Low level of

education (mean=4.44) and lack of employment (mean=4.43). Economic

marginalization (mean=3.86) contributed to a great extent towards violence in

Cotabato City. The respondents further indicated that discriminative law

enforcement policies (mean=3.00) and political discrimination (mean=2.7)

contributed to a moderate extent to violence in Cotabato City. Further, poor

parenting (mean=2.00) contributed violence in Cotabato City to little extent

while search for self identification (mean=1.71) and religious fanatism

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 22

(mean=1.14) did not contribute violence in Cotabato City.

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 23

Table 7

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents on Measures by

Religious Leaders in Countering Violence Extremism

N=50

Measures by religious leaders in Mean Description

countering violence extremism
1. Advocacy 4.14 Moderate extent

2. Education and training 4.71 Very great extent

3. Convening dialogues 3.57 Moderate extent

4. Mediation 3.28 Little extent

5. Reconciliation 4.28 Very great extent

6. Forum with government agents 3.28 Little extent

Total 3.88 Moderate extent

Note:1.00-1.80 no extent, 1.81-2.60 little extent, 2.61-3.40 moderate extent, 3.41-
4.20 great extent and 4.21-5.00 very great extent.

Table 7 that shows the respondents indicated that one of the measures used by

religious leaders in CVE to a very great extent was education and training

(mean=4.71) and Reconciliation (mean=4.28). Measures used to a moderate extent

were advocacy (mean=4.14) and convening dialogues (mean=3.57). Other measures

such as mediation (mean=3.28) and forum with government agents (mean=3.28)

were used to a little extent by religious leaders in CVE.

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 24

Table 8

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents on Effectiveness of

Religious Leaders in Countering Violence Extremism

N=50

Effectiveness of religious leaders Mean Description

in countering violence extremism
1. Enhancing cultural identity 2.86 Moderately effective
2. Peace-building 4.57 Very effective
3. Restoration 3.43 Moderately effective
4. Community cohesion 4.00 Very effective
5. Intercultural interaction 3.29 Moderately effective
Total 3.63 Moderately effective
Note: 1.00-2.79 less effective, 2.80-3.79 moderately effective, 3.80-4.79 very
effective and 4.80-5.00 highly effective

Table 8 shows that the respondents indicated that religious leaders were

effective in peace-building to a very effective (mean=4.57) and community

cohesion (mean=4.00). They were effective to moderately effective in restoration

(mean=3.43), intercultural interaction (mean=3.29) and enhancing cultural

identity (mean=2.86).
 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 25

Table 9

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents on Challenges faced

by religious leaders in countering violence extremism

Challenges faced by religious leaders Mean Description

in countering violence extremism
1. Mistrust in sharing intelligence on 4.43 Moderately
Sensitive information which exposes challenging
other partners to a certain degree of
vulnerability
2. Lack of well-equipped anti-violent 4.43 Moderately
challenging
extremism force and facilities
3. Lack of international/national laws 2.14 Less challenging

4. Lack motivation to the religious leaders 3.71 Moderately

challenging
5. Lack of professional preparedness 3.57 Moderately
challenging
Total 3.66 Moderately
challenging
N=50

Note: 1.00-1.80 not challenging, 1.81-2.80 less challenging, 2.81-3.80 moderately

challenging, 3.81-4.80 very challenging and 4.81-5.00 highly challenging.

Table 9 shows the challenges that faced religious leaders to a moderately

challenging in CVE were mistrust in sharing intelligence on sensitive

information which exposes other partners to a certain degree of vulnerability

(mean=4.43), lack of well-equipped anti-violent extremism force and facilities

(mean=4.43), lack motivation to the religious leaders (mean=3.71) and lack of

professional preparedness (mean=3.57). Lack of international/national laws

was indicated to face religious leaders to a less effective (mean=2.14).

 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The study aimed to examining the role of religious leaders in countering

violent extremism in Cotabato City. The study was guided by the following

objectives to explore the causes of violent extremism, to examine the measures

used by religious leaders in countering violent extremism, to determine the

effectiveness of religious leaders in countering violent extremism and to assess

the challenges facing religious leaders in countering violent extremism in

Cotabato City.

Summary of Findings

Findings show that the main causes of violence in Cotabato City are

poverty, Low level of education, lack of employment, economic marginalization.

Other challenges were discriminative law enforcement policies and political

discrimination. From the findings, lack of employment contributed significantly

to youth radicalization and involvement in violent extremism.

Findings also show that some of the measures used by religious leaders

in CVE are education and training, advocacy, reconciliation and convening

dialogues. Other measures are mediation and forum with government agents.

From the findings, religious leaders were effective in peace-building,

community cohesion, restoration, intercultural interaction and enhancing

cultural identity. Religious leader unify people as they work with others in faith
 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 27

groups they strengthen the ability of local communities to fight extremism by

addressing community needs through collaboration with all the religious

groups and the political groups. They hold a special place in the society by

educating and propagating the importance of our social norms and values thus

interaction within the community.

From the findings of the study majority of the respondents indicated,

mistrust in sharing intelligence on sensitive information which exposes other

partners to a certain degree of vulnerability. They further added lack of well-

equipped anti- violent extremism force and facilities, different counter violent

extremism priorities and different legal systems are also challenges faced by

counter violent extremism partnership. The findings revealed that lack of

human resources, international/national laws, contrasts involved with states

from which fanatics develop, lawful and arrangement issues with data sharing,

contrasts in way to deal with counter- violent operations, observing and

surveying progress, mechanical and operational contrasts, social

contrasts/absence of trust, and responsibility.

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 28

Conclusions

The first objective was to explore the causes of violent extremism in

Cotabato City. The study concludes that the main causes of violence in

Cotabato City are poverty, low level of education, lack of employment, economic

marginalization, discriminative law enforcement policies and political

discrimination. From the findings, lack of employment contributed significantly

to youth radicalization and involvement in violent extremism. This has been

propagated by the historical injustices in Cotabato City which seem to favour

the productive areas such as the rift valley and the central regions. Political as

well as economic factors do not favour these regions compared to other

counties and it was only after devolution that developments are being

experienced.

The second objective was to examine the measures used by religious

leaders in countering violent extremism in Cotabato City. The study concludes

that some of the measures used by religious leaders in CVE are education and

training, advocacy, reconciliation, convening dialogues, mediation and forum

with government agents. The religious leaders‘ peace and security work spans

advocacy, dialogue, and direct engagement with Muslim youth at indicates that

religious leaders role in peace promotion is now and again 'inchoate and

delicate, clumsy, and needing more prominent number of sufficiently prepared

professionals, more examination and testing and hypothetical elaboration.

Religious leaders across the globe, employ several measures to counter violent
 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 29

extremism which at times in proliferated by certain regions. In Cotabato City

both the Christian and Muslim leaders have played a role in countering violent

extremism. The study however established that Muslim leaders are in a better

position of countering violence owing to the fact that majority of the people

shares similar beliefs. The religious leaders have keen interest in and capacity

for reconciliation, healing, and justice.

The third objective was to find out the effectiveness of religious leaders in

countering violent extremism in Cotabato City. The study concludes that

religious leaders are effective in peace-building, community cohesion,

restoration, intercultural interaction and enhancing culture.

The fourth objective was to find out the challenges facing religious

leaders in countering violent extremism in Cotabato City. The study

concludes that study majority of the respondents indicated, mistrust in sharing

intelligence on sensitive information which exposes other partners to a certain

degree of vulnerability. They further added lack of well-equipped anti- violent

extremism force and facilities, different counter violent extremism priorities

and different legal systems are also challenges faced by counter violent

extremism partnership. The findings revealed that lack of human resources,

international/national laws, contrasts involved with states from which fanatics

develop, lawful and arrangement issues with data sharing, contrasts in way to

deal with counter-violent operations, observing and surveying progress,

 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 30

mechanical and operational contrasts, social contrasts/absence of trust, and

responsibility.

Recommendations

Based on the study findings, the study makes the following recommendations;

1. The respondents ought to cleanse their name against being involved

with any terrorist groups and violent extremism by being in the

forefront condemning the same. This should be done in open as

opposed to conducting meeting in undisclosed locations so as to regain

the trust from the community.

2. The Family should offer necessary funds to the religious leaders in

preaching and training on violent extremism. More funds should

particularly be given to the sheiks since the majority of coastal people

are Muslims and attend mosques.

3. The Community should work with religious organizations which are

involved in campaigns to try to address the push and pull factors of

violent extremism. These organizations lobby and advocate for policy

change in different levels of government because there are also genuine

grievances. These are very appealing to communities where there are

practical issues that we need to service.

4. The LGU should assure religious leaders of protection as they carry out

their peace building messages from place to place. Past deaths and
 Abdulradzak, Sacandal, Usop 31

threats to religious leaders from both the government and the terrorist

groups have victimized the leaders from being proactive on the issue of

violent extremism in Cotabato City.

5. The Government should look for ways of creating job opportunities to

the youths in the region. The research has found out that more youths

are likely to engage to violent extremism due to idleness which makes

them prone to being lured to terrorist groups. When the youths are

made busy they will have no time to engage in such activities.

6. The non-governmental organisation should join hand with the religious

leaders in carrying out campaigns on the dangers of being involved in

violent activities. By teaching the community, the information is likely

to trickle down to the youths who will be warned against involving

themselves with terrorist groups.