1

Interview Questions

Peace in Mindanao: Opportunities & Challenges

Thank you for agreeing to complete this short questionnaire. When answering the following
questions, please feel free to respond in as much detail as you wish. We appreciate your time and
expertise so thank you again.

Date & Time of Interview

October 19, 2020

Name of Interviewee

JIDDAY B. LUCMAN

Interviewee Organization & Role

Training Officer of Sustainable Livelihood Program under Ministry of Social Services and
Development – BARMM

What are the most promising opportunities for a sustainable peace in Mindanao (and
especially the BARMM)?

Since the new Bangsamoro government entity started, there have been so many
international non-government organizations and other external agencies that partnered with the
BARMM ministries in promoting peace, security, gender empowerment, as well as economic and
livelihood development through technical assistance, logistics and mobilizations.

If these kinds of support continues, people in the Bangsamoro communities will be

capacitated and empowered more to become productive and self-sufficient individuals which will
improve their socio-economic well-being.

Aside from that, one of the greatest opportunities that BARMM has right now in terms of
promoting peace and development is that right now, the Ministry of Public Order and Safety is
established which is an agency that will solely focus on ensuring peace and security through
strategic interventions that resolve existing conflicts in BARMM local communities.

What are the biggest challenges for a sustainable peace in Mindanao (and especially the
 2

BARMM) right now?

With the MILF as lead administrator in the creation of BARMM, it is inevitable to have
splinter armed groups that are not in favor or dissatisfied with the new government entity like
the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who were once part of MILF.

Aside from that, the existence of communists groups, Dawlah Islamia or Islamic State of Iran
and Syria (ISIS) sympathizers, and other local terrorist groups are some of the major challenges
in attaining sustainable peace.

Furthermore, with the current crisis that everyone is facing right now because of the
pandemic, this only exacerbated the condition of those who belong to the poor, marginalized, and
vulnerable sector since most of the businesses and other forms of livelihoods are severely
affected. Apparently, in effect, it is presumptive that poverty will always be correlated with the
issues on peace.

Over the next two years, what do you think are some of the biggest risks and opportunities
for Mindanao’s peace and prosperity?

In terms of biggest risks, I can say that if the existence of rebel armed groups and local
terrorists still exist and if the ideology on violent extremism still spreads, these could be some of
the major factors that may challenge BARMM or Mindanao as a whole in obtaining peace and
prosperity. Aside from that, if preventive, proactive, and responsive measures cannot be
executed strategically, proactively, and effectively, then, it will jeopardize the new beginning that
the Bangsamoro government is currently building.

With regard to the opportunities of BARMM and Mindanao as a whole in the next two years,
I could personally attest to the natural wealth that our homeland has if we only properly manage
these resources to make these profitable and beneficial to the Bangsamoros and Mindanaons
without exploitation and deterioration. Like for example the natural gas in Ligwasan Marsh and
Sulu, the hydroelectric power from Lake Lanao and the not yet explored falls of the province, the
fishes and natural resources in Rio Grande de Mindanao which covers the Maguindanao province,
and so many other potential tourist attractions that are yet to be developed. If we have the
proper technology, skills, and resources, then, we can surely manage our natural wealth and
generate income.

And if families are sufficient, then, their children will have proper education and health
nutrition. In effect, there will be lesser crime rates and number of dissatisfied people joining
attacks against the government who are influenced and manipulated by terrorists, communists,
and rebel groups. This is because everything starts at home and family is an integral part of the
society.
 3

What support does the Bangsamoro government need to help its efforts to bring peace and
stability to the BARMM?

Aside from the technical assistance that many INGOs are providing to the different
ministries of BARMM, I think there should be a longer duration of time in the trainings that these
external partners provide.

In addition, I hope that there will be assistance in the forms of logistical matters and
formalized mentoring program courses wherein the program implementers are sponsored by
their own agencies to enroll in order to ensure quality and effectiveness of knowledge and skills
acquired.

What type of support would be most useful for civil society groups working towards peace in
Mindanao?

Aside from logistical matters, I believe that there should be comprehensive and intensive
program courses that should be offered to CSO groups.

In what ways can women be better supported as peace advocates?

There should be formalized establishment of women peace advocates groups in every

region that are linked to various line agencies and stakeholders. There should be comprehensive
trainings for women to empower us. There should always be a representation of women in all
tables of discussions be it in the administrative, legislative, executive, and judiciary. Women
should always be represented and be heard.

[For female interviewees] What are the key issues facing women in Mindanao?

In a patriarchal society, the idea of letting women lead is still not into the limelight. This is
because of both religious and cultural restrictions and beliefs. Like in Islam, a woman should not
be dealing with or should have close contact with any men whom she is not closely related to like
his father, brother, son, and husband. In cultural beliefs, in terms of hierarchal tradition, the Datu
or Sultan who is male will always have a higher rank than the Bae who is a female tribal leader.

Aside from that, there are societal standards that women should always stay right behind
men because of gender stereotypes that men are more rational and less emotional unlike women
and that men are physically strong than women.
 4

In addition, women specially those in the middle age are always prone to catcalling
specially when passing by in terminals, schools, and public markets.

[For female interviewees] Has discrimination improved, worsened, or stayed the same in the
last 12-18months?

The discrimination against women is still existent and still the same. For an instance, in
decision-making, male leaders are always in control although women are consulted but still, they
always have the final word be it inside the home and in the community.

In your opinion, who or what are the most concerning threats to peace in Mindanao?

I think the continuous existence of rebel groups, communists, and local terrorists are the
main threats to peace in Mindanao.

How would you assess the threat posed by pro-Islamic State groups in Mindanao?

ISIS sympathizers still exist here in Mindanao but they remain hidden and silent while
waiting for opportunity to mobilize, recruit, and inf[luence people with their violent extremist
ideology.

There have been speculated reports from intelligence agents that there have been secret
recruitments in the state universities and colleges which always start in spreading violent
extremist ideologies and uses the religion as a decoy.

Islam is a religion of peace. Terrorism has no religion but it is hard to always defend the
religion of Islam specially if self-proclaimed Muslims do not actually promote and practice the
core teachings of the religion in which what they do is the opposite.

How is China perceived by people in Mindanao?

In my own point of view, majority of my colleagues’ perceptions towards China is that it is

very capitalistic and opportunist. In this current administration, we can see that our nation is on
the side of China to the extent our government is disregarding our own territorial rights and even
during the start of the pandemic, it is very noticeable

S
 5

How is the United States perceived by people in Mindanao?

As to date, there have opposing perceptions of Mindanaons toward America.

To be frank, for others, they see United States as an opportunist country that makes other
impoverished nations indebted to it through its various helps in which in the future, the country
will take advantage of something in Mindanao with its capitalistic motives.

For others also, they see United States as a super power nation that has genuine intentions in
extending help to poor and conflict-affected communities.

Which foreign countries have most helped peace efforts in Mindanao?

I believe that it’s United States of America that have extended many interventions in
Mindanao through its different organizations like USAID, US Embassy, and other foundations.

Are there any countries that you think have hindered peace efforts in Mindanao?

What impact has COVID-19 had on Mindanao, especially in the BARMM?

Do you think COVID-19 has had any effect on the peace efforts in Mindanao?

When you think about the positive changes that have happened for peace in Mindanao, what
 6

factors were most important for those successes?

When you think about the changes that have been negative for peace in Mindanao, what
factors contributed to those problems or failures?

If you have any further comments, please use the space below: