Personal Thoughts about the ongoing conflict in Mindanao and its impact to the Children

The ongoing conflict in Mindanao lies a deep – rooted prejudices even during the time of
the colonial period. Its roots began in 1969 where discrimination and human rights violation
became a stimulus of an armed struggle for an independent state. Notable armed groups like the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) brawled against
the government to launch for an independent Muslim region in Mindanao. Over the years, this led to
a long insurgency that killed over thousands of lives.

On a personal note, the ongoing conflict in Mindanao affected many lives. Many vulnerable groups living
in these conflict affected areas encountered with the face of death, injury, diseases and especially
psychological trauma. The armed conflict brought suffering and grave violations for the rights among
the vulnerable individuals especially the children. As a nurse and community health worker, I can say
that children in their growth and development influenced by a lot of factors. Nature and nurture
contributed to their development. The environment plays a critical role in the development of the
children and stimulates not only their physical aspect but also their psychological wellbeing. The event
of the ongoing arm conflict placed the innocent lives at stake and experienced loss as a human being. It
is them who are suffering that hinder them to enjoy their right to life and be happy.

Children are the most vulnerable in armed conflict as they are the dependents on their parents for
care and protection. The warfare brought an impact to the children development. Schools and
educational facilities are utilized for combatant forces that decreases their school enrollment, poor
schooling conditions and exploitation of the children, even recruited or forcibly involved them. Food
insecurity on child health is exacerbated that resulted to malnutrition. Children are also forcibly
displaced that led to lack of provision of the basic needs such as food, potable water and sanitation.
The exposure to armed conflict contributed to the mental and psychosocial repercussions, the
prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, psychosomatic illnesses and behavioral complaints.
These are the effects of how the armed conflict brought mark to the lives of the children. A
normal and a life towards wellbeing is stole from them.