The State-Moro Conflict in the Philippines

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700

The struggle for self-determination by the Moro people in the Southern Philippines began in 1565 under Spanish colonial rule and is still an unresolved conflict today. Rooted in primordial notions of homeland, indoctrination, social marginalization, and historical displacement, the Moro people and the government have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations and produced several agreements. Currently, the Moro conflict is one of two large, deeply-rooted, and long lasting insurgencies featuring repeated peace processes in the Philippines; the other being the stop-start process of peace negotiations with the communist insurgents.

The Moro people are composed of Sunni Muslims with varying linguistic groups which lack unity. The fragmented rebel groups, including the Moro National Liberation Front group and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, have weak legitimacy and bargaining power because of varying interests. The Muslim community perceives that there is a lack of government commitment to provide public goods in tandem to the latter‘s claim of authority over their territory. Furthermore, even though the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao is richly endowed with natural and human resources, poverty and development remain as large concerns. The Moro people view territory as a means to securing an identity, while Manila‘s view of territory is directly linked to its physical survival. In addition to territorial claims, the Moro people have experienced social, political and economic discrimination, creating grievances, which, however, are not considered - atypically severe‘ but rather limited to - neglect and remedial policies‘. Opportunities for rebel groups are limited by lack of kin groups outside the region from where they might obtain financial support, and a lack of funding by diaspora. The Moro people‘s motivations stem from desire for increased levels of economic, political, and cultural controls. Full out ethnic war is unlikely since the ethnic groups have indicated acceptance of an agreement short of full independence and the Filipino government is committed to reaching a peace agreement.

To address the conflict between the Moro people and the Filipino government, it is recommended that the state continues on its three-component peace strategy of an agreement with the MILF, reform of the dysfunctional government of the ARMM, and review of the 1996 final peace agreement with the MNLF. In addition, Manila should pay particular attention the area of economical, political, and cultural grievances.

Human Security Gateway: Record

The State-Moro Conflict in the Philippines