PEACE AND TERRORISM

We should maintain peace in our country to protect the people themselves.

Peace brings stability, safety, and unity that allow people to live their lives without

fear and promote economic growth and social progress. Terrorism should never exist

because it causes harm to innocent people, spreads fear and chaos, violates human

rights, and disrupts the peaceful coexistence of communities. According to High

Level Panel on Threats, Challenges, and Change, these are the potential threats that

affect peace: [1] threats from poverty, disease, and environmental breakdown (the

threats to human security identified in the Millennium Development Goals); [2]

threats from conflict between states; [3] threats from violence and massive human

rights violations within states; [4] threats from terrorism.

The conflict between MNLF-MILF and the Philippine government has been

discussed in the presentation, as well as the peace agreements. The Moro people

have been waging war against the Philippine government for years down south of

the Philippine archipelago. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro

Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are the two most significant Moro groups that have

been leading the way. The conflict started when the Christian settlers outnumbered

the local Moro Muslims, which caused tensions as disputes over land arose and the

Moro people felt marginalized. The conflict became more intense after a tragic event

known as the Jabidah massacre in March 1968. After that incident, many

organizations of Moro people arose to fight for autonomy through armed struggle.

The Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BLMO) was established after the Jabidah

massacre, founded by Haroun al-Rashid Lucman, but the organization did not last
long due to a lack of community support among Moro people. The Muslim

Independence Movement (MIM) was established and sought an independent Muslim

state from the Philippines in the southern part of the country, but was later

disbanded due to leadership dissatisfaction that caused factions among its members.

The MNLF, a splinter group of MIM, which could be traced back to the late part of

the 1970s and was founded by Nur Misuari, campaigned for an independent and

separate homeland for the Moro in the southern part of the Philippines. Due to

dissatisfaction with the leadership among the MNLF members, the MILF was formed

as a splinter group of the MNLF. MILF believed in a more thorough Moro self-

determination, and it wanted them an autonomous region that would allow a high

level of self-governance such as power sharing and Islamic law, Shari'ah, in their

territory.

The Philippine government was already aware, through years of on-and-off

peace talks, that a political settlement was really needed. Indeed, there was a peace

agreement signed with the MNLF, such as the Tripoli Agreement of 1976 and later

the Final Peace Agreement in 1996, whereby the ARMM was created. However, the

MILF continued its armed struggle because the powers and scope of the ARMM were

found to be limited. The peace process effort has resulted in the signing of the

Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014 between the

Government of the Philippines and the MILF, paving the way for the establishment

of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which took effect in 2019. The BARMM enjoys

greater autonomy than the ARMM. These include an expanded power-sharing

agreement, fiscal autonomy, and establishing a hybrid legal system taking into

consideration both national and Islamic law applicable within the BARMM. Though
the BBL is clearly a milestone toward peace and self-governance for the Moro

people, the path toward permanent peace is on the right track.

Terrorist groups were tackled in the presentation. ISIS-East Asia remained the

deadliest terrorist threat in the Philippines, continuing to recruit, fundraise, and

stage attacks on security forces and civilians alike. Held about a third of Syria and 40

percent of Iraq. By December 2017, it had lost 95 percent of its territory, including

its two biggest properties, Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, and the northern Syrian

city of Raqqa, which is the nominal capital of Syria. ISIS capitalized on the unrest

and grievances of marginalized Sunni populations in both countries and presented

itself as a champion of Sunni rights. Its brutal tactics, including mass killings,

beheadings, and the establishment of a self-proclaimed caliphate, shocked the

world.

The group attracted fighters from different parts of the world, including

Europe and other Middle Eastern countries. It used social media and propaganda to

recruit and radicalize individuals, spreading its extremist ideology and inspiring acts

of terrorism. The rise of ISIS also involved regional and international dynamics. The

Syrian civil war provided fertile ground for the group to expand its influence and gain

territorial control. The conflict in Syria allowed ISIS to acquire weapons, resources,

and recruits. The international community, including the United States and its allies,

launched military campaigns to counter ISIS and degrade its capabilities. These

efforts, combined with the resistance from local forces, have significantly weakened

the group.
 In conclusion, maintaining peace is crucial for the well-being of a nation,

ensuring stability, safety, and economic growth. The conflict involving the Moro

groups in the Philippines highlights the challenges of achieving lasting peace but

shows progress through political settlements like the Bangsamoro Basic Law. We

need to note that Moro people are not identified as terrorists. Moro people are not

against the Philippine government; they just seek autonomy to govern their

constituents, following their religious beliefs based on Islamic principles. Meanwhile,

terrorism remains a severe threat, as seen with ISIS-East Asia's activities. Combating

terrorism and addressing its root causes require ongoing international and local

efforts. Achieving and sustaining peace involves comprehensive strategies

addressing political, social, and economic factors.