SURVIVING ARMED Zahria P.

Muti-Mapandi
For the Department of

CONFLICT IN
Psychology
CSSH, Mindanao State
University

MINDANAO
August 4, 2013
OVERVIEW
UNDERSTANDING THE ROOTS OF ARMED CONFLICT
IN MINDANAO

GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

TOWARDS PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

HOW COMMUNITIES SURVIVE THE CONFLICT

UNDERSTANDING THE
ROOTS OF ARMED
CONFLICT IN
ROOTS OF THE ARMED
CONFLICT
Massive poverty
Poor governance
Injustice and abuse of power
Control by a few of political power
Exploitation of cultural communities and lack
of recognition of their ancestral domain
Struggle for self-determination
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
ON THE ARMED CONFLICT
14th Century : Arab Traders introduced Islam in Mindanao and
Sulu
15th Century : Muslim Sultanate established in Sulu, later in
Lanao and Cotabato; then later in Manila (Muslim Rajah)
16th Century-19th Century : Spanish occupation of the Philippines
1898: Spanish and USA Treaty of Paris
1912 : Introduction of Settlers in Mindanao
1942 : Japan invaded the Philippines
1945 : Philippine Independence
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON
THE ARMED CONFLICT
Formation of the Moro National Liberation Front
1970s (MNLF); begins movement for separation and
independence.
Signing of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between
the Marcos administration and MNLF. In the
1976, process of reaching the agreement, MNLF
Dec. changes the struggle’s demand from
independence to establishment of autonomous
rule.
1977, The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
May gives observer status to the MNLF.
The Marcos administration establishes the
1979,
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
ON
1984 THE ARMED
The Moro CONFLICT
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
formally breaks away from MNLF.
1986, President Corazon Aquino meets with MNLF’s
May Chairman Nur Misuari at Jolo Island (Sulu).
The Aquino administration and the MNLF sign the
Jeddah Accord, where the Philippine government
and MNLF agreed to continue talks on the
1987,
proposal to grant Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-
Jan.
Tawi and Palawan full autonomy subject to
democratic processes.
 The Aquino administration establishes the
Feb.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MNLF
1990
and MILF do not recognize)

1991 The formation of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The Ramos administration and the MNLF sign the

1996 Final Peace Agreement. MNLF Chairman Nur
1996,
Misuari appointed Governor of ARMM and
Sept
Chairman of the Southern Philippine Council for
Peace and Development (SPCPD).
– Armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the
1997 Philippines (AFP) and MILF reoccur; repetition of
armed clashes and peace negotiations.
 President Estrada declare “all out war” and the
2000,
AFP attack the MILF’s largest base. One million
March
became internally displaced.

MNLF core officials establish an anti-Misuari faction, the

2001, Executive Council of 15 (EC15). EC15 paid respect by
April calling Misuari “Chairman Emeritus” but Misuari refuses
to accept the title.

2001, The Arroyo administration and the MILF sign the GRP-MILF
June Tripoli Agreement on Peace.

The MNLF’s request to postpone the ARMM plebiscite to

2001,
2003 is rejected. The plebiscite takes place and ARMM (5
Aug.
provinces and 1 city) is established.
 Armed attack on government military facilities in
2001,
Jolo and Zamboanga City by MNLF’s Misuari faction
Nov.
(around 600 men) leads to heavy casualties.
Misuari arrested in Malaysia on the suspicion of
2001, instigating the above attacks, and transferred to the
Nov. Philippines the following January, where he is detained.

2003, Hashim Salamat, founder of MILF, dies. Ebrahim Murad is

July elected chairman the following month.

2008, MNLF’s EC15 faction selects Muslimin Sema as chairman.

April Misuari faction does not recognize.
Misuari is released on bail; later charges are dropped.
 The Supreme Court issues a temporary restraining order on
the Memorandum of Agreement of Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD)
that was to be signed between the Arroyo administration and
2008,
MILF, and later deems it unconstitutional. Armed clashes
Aug
spread and
600-750 thousand people internally displaced.

The “Maguindanao massacre” breaks out over the May 2010 national
2009,
and local elections. 57 are murdered.
Nov

Talks between President Benigno Aquino III and MILF’s Chairman Murad
2010,
take place in the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan.
Aug.

. The Philippine government and the MILF sign the “Framework

2012, Agreement on the Bangsamoro” toward the Comprehensive
Oct. Agreement.

Identification of Transition Committee

2013…
Agreement on the Wealth-Sharing
KEY PLAYERS IN THE ARMED
CONFLICT
The Moro National Liberation Front

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front

The Communist Party of the Philippines/ NPA/NDF

Abu Sayyaf Groups and other Rebel or Criminal Groups

 COST OF ARMED CONFLICT IN
MINDANAO Human and Social
Deaths Uncount Displacem “Muslim
ed
(100T ent
ghettos
wounded (not less
and and than 2M) ”
more) disabled

Exodus of Increase Kidnap-

illegal Muslim Trafficking
migrants to
d for-
(person,
neighboring incidenc ransom drugs and
state of e of and other
Sabah,Malaysi guns)
a poverty crimes
 COST OF ARMED CONFLICT IN
MINDANAO
Direct and Indirect Economic Cost

Insecurity of
$2B - $3B agricultural
Investment
(1970–2001) production and
Deflection
productivity
COST OF ARMED CONFLICT IN
MINDANAO
Governance Social and Institutional
Costs
Disruption
Rule of and Access Access to
Law to Health
Education Services

Dealing
Consequences
for ST Welfare
with the
and LT IDPs and
Development the
Prospects Poorest
 GOVERNMENT AND NON-
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TOWARDS
PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
GPH-MNLF Peace Agreement (Tripoli Agreement)
Creation of the ARMM Government
MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain)
GPH-MILF on Going Peace Talks
Signing of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (plus annexes)
Creation of Transition Committee (Basic Law Creation)
Approval of Congress
Plebiscite
Installation of the new Bangsamoro government
NON-GOVERNMENT
INITIATIVES
Support for the Peace Talks
Education and information Campaigns :
Climate of Peace

Monitoring of the Peace talks

HOW COMMUNITIES
SURVIVE THE
CONFLICT
 Unlearning Relearning
and : Peace
Deconstruct Education
ion of
Stereotypes Relearning
and biases our history

Reliving :
Cultivatin Leaving
ga a Legacy
Culture of of Peace
Peace
SANGGIBO SALAMAT!
RAMADHAN KAREEM