MINDANAO STUDIES I NOTES

January 21, 2020

1. Mindanao as straddling between peace and conflict

 The conflict in Mindanao is one singular continuous problem (Mindanao problem) ---
Fight for identity (Rodil)
 Aside from conflict, the state, non-Mindanaoans and media also this framework in order
to assert power
2. Mindanao as underdeveloped

 Budge is lagging
 According to Lourdes Adriano, there are four reasons why Mindanao is underdeveloped
o Supplies of food and national resources of the Philippines
o Neglect of Mindanao’s infrastructural needs
o Bias against agriculture & for industry
o The peace & order problem (armed conflict and/or crime – at certain degrees
caused by
 Oligarchs/political dynasties -- peasants
 It manifests less benefits, less investments, less services, less
opportunities for a good life therefore, no employment opportunities that
will also lead to poverty and social/political unrest --- structural violence.
 Social services is the answer to the struggles of Mindanao
3. Mindanao as a land of opportunities and promise

 Ninuno/Austronesians
 Lumad and the Moros – Muslims (11th Century by Arab traders)
 Spanish/American Colonizers
 Settlers

Frame Mindanao

 Government
 Media
 NGOs & development actors
 Academics
 Migrants/settlers
 The Lumad
 The Moro
 Non-Mindanaoans
 Foreigners and other nations
 Colonizers