HISTORICAL JOURNEY

OF CONFLICT IN MINDANAO
Deepening Input

#Up2Youth TechCamp
Cagayan de Oro City
June 24-28, 2019
Let us first ponder on the following questions:
• What is really the root of the problem here in Mindanao?
Ano ba talaga ang ugat ng problema dito sa Mindanao?
• Why is there still no cure until now? Bakit wala paring gamot
hanggang ngayon?
• What really is the cure to this problem? Ano ba talaga ang
gamot sa problemang ito?
• How can we overcome this problem? Paano ba natin
malalampasan ang problemang ito?
IS MINDANAO THE MILKING COW OF THE PHILIPPINES?
Who are the so-called “Tri-People”?
• The Lumad / IP – composed of
18 tribes who have preserved
their pre-colonial way of life and,
for most of history, retained
their folk religions.
The 18
main
Lumad
tribes
Who are the so-called “Tri-People”?
• The Moro – composed of 13
tribes (also indigenous and
closely related to The Lumad)
who have, during the arrival of
Islam to Mindanao, decided to
“convert” to that religion.
The
Thirteen
Moro tribes
Who are the so-called “Tri-People”?
• The Settlers – composed of
about 7 to 8 tribes from Luzon
and Visayas who were resettled
to Mindanao by past
governments and acquired
proprietary rights through the
titling system.
The Settlers
from Luzon and
Visayas
Pre-Islamic Period
(Before 1280 AD):
• The Ice Age Theory
• The archipelago was settled by
people from mainland Asia who
crossed land bridges during the
Ice Age
Pre-Islamic Period (Before 1280 AD):

• The Bottom-of-the Sea Theory (Dr.

Fritjof Voss)

The Philippine islands were located

directly above a fault in the earth’s
crust. Powerful earthquakes pushed
up the landmass from the ocean
floor and the Philippine islands rose
from the bottom of the ocean. In-
migration was by sea, not by land.
Pre-Islamic Period (Before 1280 AD):
• The Three Waves Theory (H. Otley Beyer)
• Aetas and Negritos first (21,000 BC) – basis for Marikudo & Maniwantiwan
• Indos second (3,000 BC),
• Austronesians / Malayo-Polynesians (centuries after the Indos) – basis for the
legend of the “Ten Datus” led by Datu Puti
Characteristics of the Period:
• No formal religion yet.
• Wandering peoples / tribes, but lived
abundantly.
• No exploitation.
• They lived on agriculture and fishing.
• Trade was based on “barter system.”
• “Datu” or “Rajah” was the ruler of the
“barangay”
• Use “traditional” system of resolving
conflicts
• Ownership of land was communal
• It was the time of “one people”
Islamic Period (Between 1280 & 1521):
• Islam’s spread was traced from the
arrival of six men:
• 1280 – Tuan Mashaika, a trader (Sulu)
• 1380 – Sheik Karimul Makdum, a
missionary (Sulu)
• 1390 – Rajah Baguinda Ali, a
Sumatran Prince (Sulu)
• 1440 – Abu Bakar/Shariful Hashim, a
Johore born Arab scholar (Sulu) Rajah Baguinda
• 1460 – Sharif Awliya, an Arab scholar
(Mainland Mindanao, Tagoloan II)
• 1511 – Sharif Kabungsuan, an Arab
scholar (Mainland Mindanao, Shariful Hashim
Cotabato Region)
Sharif Kabungsuan
Islamic Period (Between 1280 & 1521):

• Two sultanates and several

principalities were eventually
founded:
• Sultanate of Sulu – Established by
Shariful Hashim on Nov. 17, 1405
• Sultanate of Maguindanao and its
principalities – Established by
1619 by Sultan Kudarat
• Principalities of Lanao
(Pangampong) – Established in
after 1640
Islamic Period (Between 1280 & 1521):

• The sultanate form of

government was more
advanced than the “datu
system” of governance:
• More systematic law and order,
• Taxation
• Sovereignty was recognized by
neighboring kingdoms such as
China and Brunei (via Treaties)
• Trade agreements
Characteristics of the Period:
• The concept of “two-people” began at this time (Moro and Lumad).
• There was amity and close kinship between the “two-peoples”.
• The legend of Mamalu and Tabunaway - proof of the “ties that bind”
• Agreements (Tampuda hu Balagen, Bagkes, Sapa, Pakang, Diyandi,
Saklanlitu, etc.) on mutual defense, jurisdiction and boundaries between
ancestral domains were forged through blood and rituals between the two
groups.
• There was no struggle yet for the Right to Self-Determination (RSD)
• The spread of Islam was through missionaries and traders, NOT by war and
conquest
• Islam arrived in the archipelago more than 300 years before the Spanish
Conquistadores came, bringing Christianity with them.
Spanish Colonial Period (Bet. 1521 & 1898):
• Spain’s (and Christianity’s)
arrival was attributed to
three men:
• 1521 - Fernão de
Magalhães / Fernando de
Magallanes / Ferdinand
de Magallanes
Magellan.
• 1543 – Ruy Lopez de
Villalobos
• 1565 – Miguel Lopez de de Villalobos
Legaspi
• Introduced the “regalian
doctrine”
de Legazpi
 Characteristics of the Period:
• Spain succeeded in establishing forts in Jolo, Zamboanga,
Polloc, Tamontaka, Taviran, Reina Regente, Pikit, Parang, etc.
• It failed to conquer and colonize the whole of Sulu and
mainland Mindanao – fiercely resisted by Islamized natives,
with the help of their indigenous brethren.
• The attacks against the Islamized natives in started in 1565 and
went on for more than 300 years in what was later referred to
as the “Moro-Spanish War”; The Moro and Lumad had been
“resisting the Spaniards” centuries ahead of the Katipuneros.
• This was in spite of the fact that Spanish governor generals
recognized sovereignty of the two sultanates through various
treaties over that 300 year period.
• Christianity was introduced as strategy by Spain to colonize the
country.
• The natives were Christianized by force. The propaganda was
strong accusing the Muslims as “non-believers of God” and
they were “bad people” (demonization process).
Characteristics of the Period:
• Through forced labor systems, or “polistas,” Christianized natives (indios) of
working age were obliged to contribute labor in any number of capacities for a
fixed amount of time each year, including as “shock troops” of the conquistadores
in their expeditions to Mindanao. Together with the propaganda, it contributed to
the prejudices and animosities that grew between the Islamized natives and the
Christianized natives of the archipelago.
• As casualty rates rose, the feeling of “woundedness” between ancient tribal
friends took root and spread. The roots of woundedness took almost 400 years to
slowly but surely “dig in”.
• It may be considered that the struggle for the “right to self-determination” was
born in this period, though the term was not yet used, until the United Nations
introduced it.
• There were also Christianized natives who fought against the oppression of Spain,
violently and nonviolently:
• Jose Rizal (Indios Bravos, La Liga Filipina),
• Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, or “Gom-Bur-Za”
• Andres Bonifacio (Katipunan)
 American Colonial Period (1898 to 1946)
Key Events:
• June 12, 1898 - Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence; Proposed to
Congress (January 1899) that the government be empowered to negotiate with the
“Moros of Sulu and Mindanao” for purposes of establishing a national solidarity upon
the basis of a real federation with absolute respect for their beliefs and traditions; The
Moro leaders chided the offer as “300 years too late” (Tillah, Manila Times 2011)
• December 10, 1898 – Treaty of Paris was signed between Spain and USA, turning over
control over the Philippines to the US for the price of 20 million dollars (Mexican) and
the subsequent holding of the “Mock Battle of Manila Bay” between Cmdre. Dewey
and Adm. Montojo.
• “Benevolent Assimilation” proclamation (Dec. 21, 1898)
• The First Philippine Commission (Jan. 20, 1899) – “to assist with governing the
Philippines.”
• The US also signed treaties with the sultanates, using a non-interference policy, but
giving them the status of “protectorates” since the whole of the Philippines, as sold by
Spain, was then under US sovereignty.
American Colonial Period (1898 to 1946):
Key Events:
• Introduced the Torrens System of land
registration to Mindanao, which
systematically dispossessed the Moro and
Lumad of much of their ancestral domain
(1902).
• The Moro Province was created, composed of
the whole regions of Sulu, Zamboanga, Lanao,
Cotabato, and Davao; unilateral abrogation of
all treaties with the sultanates;
• Start of the “Moro-American War”. US
interference was viewed as threat to the way
of life (Islam) of the Moro people (1903). It
was a war to:
• Defend cultural identity
• Protect ancestral domain and resources
• Assert self-governance
• Promote value system and ideology
American Colonial Period (1898 to 1946):
Key Events:
• Establishment of agricultural colonies in Mindanao. Bringing Christian
settlers to Muslim lands (1913). - This started the “Tri-People” concept
• Creation of the Bureau of Non-Christians (1920)

• Western Education System / Public School System; “The elaborate school

network was designed “primarily and exclusively as an adjunct to military
operations calculated to pacify the people” – Gen. Arthur MacArthur
 American Colonial Period (1898 to 1946):
• Yet, despite the Moro-American War…
• 1921 (June 9) – Petition of the People of
Sulu. “They would prefer being part of the
United States rather than to be included in
an independent Philippine nation.”
• 1924 (February 1) – Zamboanga
Declaration. Moro leaders gathered in
Zamboanga and signed the declaration,
“preferring to remain as a colony of the US
rather than to be included in the granting
of the independence to the Filipinos.”
• 1935 (March 18) – Dansalan Declaration.
“We do not want to be included in the
Phil. Independence for once an
independent Philippines is launched, there
will be trouble between us and the
Christian Filipinos..”
 American Colonial Period (1898 to 1946):
• The counter-attitude of the
Filipinos…
• If the Filipino nationalists were bent
on integrating Mindanao and Sulu
into their new nation, they did not
seem serious enough to treat them as
their equals. At their first
Constitutional Convention held in
Manila in 1934, not a single Moro was
represented in this meeting. Instead,
they had a Manila delegate represent
the province of Davao.
Post-American Period
(Between 1946 to present) Key Events:
• Japanese Occupation – December 8, 1941 to September 2, 1945
• Moro and Filipino alike enlisted in the USAFFE to join America against
Japan.
• Moro and Filipino families in Mindanao supported each other to survive
the occupation.
• 1946 - The Philippines gained independence from the US. Not through
victory in battle, but because it was granted to them. The US needed to
consolidate its resources after the 1937-38 Recession and WWII. It had no
choice but to let go of some colonies.
• The US went ahead and gave the islands of Mindanao and Sulu to Filipino
rule; Continuation of the colonial regime; “neo-colonialism”
Post-American Period
(In the hands of the Filipinos)
• Resettlement to Mindanao continued (National Land Settlement
Acts)
• Depopulation and minoritization of the Moro and Lumad continued
• Assimilation intensified; term changed to “national integration”
• Agrarian unrest
• Demonization process against the minority continued; prejudices
deepened
• Political polarization due to division of territories – e.g. Cotabato
Empire into 5 provinces
Post-American Period
(Between 1946 to present) Key Events:
• Tensions heightened and the “Moro-Filipino War” occurred
• Kamlon Rebellion
• Jabidah Massacre and many other massacres
• Founding of the MNLF, then the MILF
• 2000 All-Out-War, 2003 All-Out-Peace (Buliok Conflict), 2008 MOA-AD Conflict
• Violent Extremism complicating the struggle for identity:
• 1995 to present Abu Sayyaf Group bombings, kidnappings, attacks
• 2015 bombings and attacks by pro-ISIS groups (AKP, Dawlah Islamiyah – Lanao, etc.)
• The Counter-Insurgency Campaign of the AFP against all Moro armed groups
• The “hawkish” generals and politicians promoting “order” more than “peace”
• Continuous inter-clan and inter-tribal feud (rido, land conflict, etc.)
Peace efforts were also made to seek justice
nonviolently:
• The Tripoli Agreement was signed (Dec 23, 1976)
• The Autonomous Region in Southern Philippines
(March 25 1977)
• Organic Act of 1989 by Pres. Aquino (creating the
ARMM)
• National Unification Commission (1992); Later
became OPAPP
• GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement (1996); With
socio-eco package (SPCPD)
• GRP-MILF Agreement for General Cessation of
Hostilities; creation of the IMT, the CCCH and the
AHJAG
• Republic Act 9054 – Strengthening the ARMM
(2001)
• Malaysia to facilitate GRP-MILF Peace Talks (2001)
• The GRP-MILF Tripoli Agreement (2001)
• Exploratory Talks from 2003 to 2007
• Greater CSO presence in the peace process (e.g.
Mindanaw Peaceweavers)
• Emergence of Peace and Development Communities,
Zones of Peace, Sanctuaries of Peace, Spaces for Peace,
Schools of Peace
• The MOA-AD Attempt (2008)
• Creation of the Civilian Protection Component of the IMT
(2009)
• Formation of the International Contact Group (ICG)
• Signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro
(2012) & the Annexes (2012 – 2014) creating the
Bangsamoro Transition Commission
• Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the
Bangsamoro (2014)
• Drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (2015)
• Passing of Bangsamoro Organic Law (2018) creating the
BARMM; the 2019 BOL Plebiscite
• Formation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (2019)
Key Points:
• Our ancestors were the first to occupy the islands even long before the
archipelago was named “Philippines”.
• Protracted armed conflict started when the Spaniards attacked the
Islamized communities (now called the Moro people) in Mindanao and it
lasted for 300 years
• The conflict continues because there is a refusal to acknowledge the
historical injustices done against the Moro people and Indigenous people
by the mainstream majority and the government.
• The present reality is prejudices, biases, hatred are still manifested
between among the tri-people, which now directly and indirectly feed into
the rise of violent extremism in Mindanao.
• Our next step forward should be to start promoting mutual understanding.
Key Points:
• The Challenges
• Working for justice to attain peace
• Efforts to understand the common roots of the conflict
• Mutual understanding that can lead to unity
• Transformation of structural violence and institutionalized oppression
• Re-make history
• Conclusions
• It is easy to aggravate conflict on the ground. It is difficult to build peace.
• Despite the prejudices and biases, the doubts and fears, the cultural baggage,
and the suspicions, the peoples of Mindanao generally have a feeling of
HOPE, that a better and more peaceful future is out there, ready for the
taking…
Relevant Quotes:
“We are at a time of choice for the international community: we can
choose to act out of fear and national interest, or choose a path of
hope based on a shared, cooperative vision of the future. We need to
move away from a mindset framed in terms of security as a zero sum
game, of us versus them, towards one where security is about mutual
interdependence at all levels.”
Relevant Quotes:
“Preventing violent extremism is not about ideologies, it’s not about
military strategy: rather, it is about finding ways to accompany
communities in becoming more resilient, in fostering peaceful, just and
inclusive societies as the 2030 agenda (on sustainable development)
has it.”