Violent extremism

Mindanao is the second largest and southernmost major island in the Philippines. The island is known to
be the most culturally diverse island in the Philippines where people of different languages, tribes and
races meet. Due to the cultural diversity of the island, violent extremism arouse. Various kinds of
militant use violence in order to achieve their ideological, religious, and political goals. As a youth and a
citizen of Mindanao, we can address this problem in our own typical ways.

To fight against violent extremism in our island and to attain peace we must first begin it in ourselves. As
an individual, we must act appropriately in every situation we are involved. That is one way of showing
respect. In a broader sense, a specific action may have a different meaning to others. In order to avoid
conflict and uncertainties, we must act appropriately.

Second, we must be culturally sensitive. It means we are aware of each other’s similarities and
differences. If we are culturally sensitive, it follows then that in every instances or situation we face, our
actions are on the right track. Also, by being culturally sensitive, we are helping in shaping our island,
Mindanao, for one of the keys in attaining peace is the awareness of each other’s similarities and
differences. Being aware signifies that we are one, for awareness is interconnected to unity. If we are
sensitive culturally, we will then be united with same goals and aspirations for our island.

Third, we must be vigilant in what was happening our community so that we can avoid ourselves in
danger and get involved in resolving the problem or conflict in a peaceful way. By doing this, we are
taking part in addressing the different conflicts of what our community was facing. This act shows that
we, as a citizen of the island, Mindanao, are becoming more effective.

In conclusion, in order to fight against violent extremism and attain peace which is our main purpose, we
must act appropriately, be culturally sensitive and be vigilant. By doing all these acts, we are indeed
making a remarkable change in our island which is our home and our identity. As a citizen of the island,
we should always keep in mind that we are one in the spirit. We share the same goal and aspirations. If
we will be one, no doubt, we could address this most prevailing problem in our island and achieve our
purpose which is to attain peace. As of what Mikhail Gorbachev have quoted, Peace is not unity in
diversity, the comparison and conciliation of differences.

Idul, L. J. (2017). Unity in diversity. Retrieved June 21,2022 from

https://iammindanao.wordpress.com/2017/11/02/unity-in-diversity/
Everyone has to start somewhere; to know who you truly are, to choose their path in order to choose
their destination, and to find their objectives on this contemporary world. Thus, the world is too big to
stay in on one place, why not travel?

Somewhere beyond the continent of Asia lay an island called the Philippines known as the Pearl of the
Orient Sea. The Philippines is composed of three major island groups namely Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao. Mindanao is the second largest, after Luzon and southernmost of the country’s major islands

Mindanao is considered as the food basket of the Philippines. Most of the commodities exported from
the Philippines come from Mindanao. The island’s coastline is marked with bays and headlands. This is
said to afford shelter to ships during storms. Mindanao is mountainous which is covered with forests.

We can conclude that Mindanao is a beautiful island. However our island is slowly being destroyed by
ourselves. This is by forest degradation example of this is illegal cutting which will lead to water scarcity,
landslide, and other calamities. Do we call ourselves truly Mindanao citizens? Though, these are not just
common problems of the society, we face discrimination, social gap, and other problems.

Are we proud or worth it to bring the identity or the uniqueness of Mindanao? If we can’t even take care
of it and have unity because of the differences and flaws we have. We often choose who to get friends
with; we base on sexuality, religion, and political beliefs. We bully even those indigent people. We may
live on one island yet we’re separate, not just by common boundaries; we build invisible walls to each
other. We are having useless and empty fights because we don’t share on the same beliefs. Sometimes
on the news, we saw people died because of the differences we have; differences with religion and
politics.

We have reason why we were born in Mindanao; we have a purpose here, it is not a coincidence either.
Nevertheless, is discriminating, killing, and destroying our purpose or objectives? Let’s change our ways,
be as one. We can change everything and change is within us. Don’t wait, move.

We were fearfully and wonderfully made by our Almighty God, to protect His creation and we’re one of
them. Thus, we must protect each other not ruin other lives. We are a product of good will, and good
character not a virus to the people around us and to the glamour of Mindanao. We must bring back
harmony between us people and to the environment. This is our island, this is our home. We must
protect it until this world we live will come to its final path, to its end.

We should not waste our 86, 400 second just to mope and do nothing. We must do our aim to this
world, to our island, Mindanao. Mindanao won’t be called as the Philippines’ Land of Promise, if we’re
not standing where we are right now. This is our purpose; we must never be ashamed to bring our
identity with it.

Mindanao is not just a ordinary mountainous island, it is our home; it is also who we are, the kind of
people were today; we must be proud, enlightened, and do the greater purpose.

Cael, H. (2017). We are Mindanao. Retrieved June 21,2022 from

https://iammindanao.wordpress.com/2017/09/14/we-are-mindanao/
The Mindanao island group (Mindanao), with a population of 24 million, has long had the highest
poverty rates in the Philippines despite its natural resources and a promising agricultural sector.
Mindanao is prone to natural disasters resulting in displacement – as is the rest of the country.
Displacement in Mindanao is also caused by clashes between the military and armed groups that reject
or are no longer involved in peace talks with the Government. Besides conflict, displacement, and
poverty, a shadow criminal economy, clan politics, and intercommunal tensions also disrupt the
livelihoods and economic potential of Mindanao, requiring a nexus approach to response. Over 100,000
people are in protracted displacement in Mindanao because of conflict and violence.

ACAPS (nd).Philippines. Retrieved June 21,2022 from

https://www.acaps.org/country/philippines/crisis/mindanao-conflict

Mindanao has long been fractured by a toxic mixture of political violence, identity-based armed conflict,
and ethnic and clan divisions, and has been beset by sustained rebel and terrorist violence. These
divisive factors have militated against regional political unity and social coherence, exacerbated by the
area’s socio-economic and development challenges.

COCI(2020).Insecurity in Mindanao:Conflict and state-sponsored violence. Retrieved June 21, 2022 from
https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/insecurity-in-mindanao-conflict-and-state-sponsored-violence/
*Statistics sa mga tao sa Mindanao*

Religion

Roman Catholic was still the dominant religious affiliation in Mindanao with 60.9 percent of the
household population while Islam comprised 20.44 percent. Other religions were Evangelical (5.34%),
Aglipayan (2.16), Iglesia ni Cristo (1.66%), and Seventh Day Adventist (1.65%).

Islam was the dominant religious affiliation in ARMM (90.10%). On the other hand, Davao Region had
the highest proportion of Roman Catholics (76.69%), followed by Northern Mindanao (75.30%), Caraga
(74.15%), Zamboanga Peninsula (69.88%), and Central Mindanao (58.60%).

Ethnicity

Around 25.8 percent of the household population in Mindanao classified themselves as Cebuanos. Other
ethnic groups included Bisaya/Binisaya (18.4%), Hiligaynon/Ilonggo (8.2%), Maguindanaon (5.5%), and
Maranao (5.4%). The remaining 36.6 percent belonged to other ethnic groups.

Cebuano registered the highest proportion of ethnic group in Northern Mindanao and Davao Region
with 35.59 percent and 37.76 percent, respectively. In SOCCSKSARGEN, it was Hiligaynon/Ilonggo
(31.58%), Binisaya/Bisaya (33.10%) in Zamboanga Peninsula, Maranao (26.40%) in ARMM, and
Surigaonon (25.67%) in Caraga.

Most commonly used dialect

A large proportion (29.19%) of households in Mindanao used Cebuano as their language/dialect at

home. This was followed by Bisaya/Binisaya dialect (27.07%). Other major dialects spoken were
Hiligaynon/Ilonggo (7.87%), Maguindanaon (4.7%), and Tausug (4.13%).

Binisaya was the common language/dialect spoken in Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao
(39.09% and 48.45%, respectively), Cebuano in Davao Region (42.26%) and Caraga (29.65%), Hiligaynon
in SOCCSKSARGEN (33.54%) and Tausug (24.66 percent) in ARMM.

Mindanao is a cultural tapestry. It is home to 18 Lumad tribes, 13 ethnic-linguistic Moro tribes and 64
settler groups who have lived in the island for over a century already. Mindanao is an island of peoples
with diverse ethnic backgrounds and cultural differences.

But for people to coexist in an island, they have to recognise these differences. It takes recognition of
such diversity to pave the way for respect. Such acceptance would strengthen the distinctiveness as a
people and as well preserve the respective cultural identities of Lumads, Moros and settlers.
Peace can be achieved if people were able to experience and maintain their wholeness as human
beings. Peace is felt if human dignity is preserved. This can only be possible if human rights are
recognized, respected and defended at all times. Peace will remain elusive if justice is not fully rendered.
Human rights then should be treated as an integral component of peace.

The struggle for self determination as espoused by peoples in Mindanao has been a protracted one - in
various forms and levels - from the mountains, to the streets and to the cold halls of the congress.

The right to choose and decide what is best as a people is a sacred right. The deprivation of it would
render a subservient people with no political will; with no determination to chart their own lives.

SPAN (2002). Mindanao: cultural diversity. Retrieved June 21,2022 from

https://cpcabrisbane.org/Kasama/2002/V16n2/Mindanao.htms

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines, with a population of 21.5 million people
covering an area of 37,657 square miles (slightly larger than the U.S. state of Maine.)Although Christians
are an overwhelming majorityin the Philippines, Mindanao has for centuries been home to both
indigenous peoples and Muslims called Moro (from the Spanish word “Moor”) or Bangsamoro (the
“Moro Nation”). While the Moro share a common identity as Muslims, they are also quite diverse with
13 different ethnic groups,4 each speaking their own languages.Mindanao is divided into six
administrative regions, including the Muslim-majority Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or
ARMM, which includes the provinces of Maguindanao and Lao del Sur in the mainland, and island
provinces like Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. ARMM’s population is approximately 4.1 million people,
largely dominated by Muslims from the Meranaw, Tausug, and Maguindanaon ethnic groups. Following
plebiscites in which these majority-Muslim provinces voted for inclusion, ARMM obtained special
autonomous status in 1990, with the right to elect its own officials, levy taxes, and set education and
development policy.

The current armed conflict in Mindanao reflects the recurring call for the fulfillment of the right to self-
determination of the Muslim population in the Philippines in order to obtain sustainable peace.

With almost forty years of on and off fighting between Muslim armed opposition groups and the
Philippine military forces, and the resulting high toll on human lives, the search for sustainable peace
and full respect for human rights remains a big challenge.

HURIGHTS OSAKA(2008).Mindanao Conflict: In Search of Peace and Human Rights. Retrieved June
21,2022 from https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2008/12/mindanao-conflict-in-
search-of-peace-and-human-rights.html

One of the major problems in Mindanao is the long-standing neglect from the national government and
lack of economic development. The root cause of cultural, religious, and armed conflict still goes back to
the problem of lack of jobs and economic development and this leads to a vicious cycle of poverty.
ASIA SOCIETY.(nd).Understanding Mindanao: Business in Mindanao. Retrieved June 21,2022 from
https://asiasociety.org/philippines/events/understanding-mindanao-business-mindanao

*Gender inequality*

Mindanao is home to diverse communities, with 13 ethno-linguistic groups and around 30 Lumad
groups. Of its total population of 25.73 million, some 18 percent are Muslims and approximately 5
percent are Lumad; the rest are migrants and their descendants. Females comprise half of the
population. Hence, by sheer number, women are a vital resource for Mindanao’s development.

However, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Gender-related
Development Index (GDI), “which measures the inequality in the achievement of women and men based
on life expectancy at birth, educational attainment and standard of living,” are also low in the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Sulu had the lowest GDI in the entire country at
0.322. According to a report: “Mindanao women need urgent attention in the areas of economic
opportunities, reproductive health, political participation, education, and even basic services such as
water and power.” Poverty, it said, “is deepest and most severe in the provinces where the indigenous
peoples and Muslims reside.”

Bañez, M. A.(2019).Poverty, War and Peace: Lumad and Muslim Women’s Issues in Mindanao.
Retrieved June 21,2022 from https://up.edu.ph/poverty-war-and-peace-lumad-and-muslim-womens-
issues-in-mindanao/