The liberation movements in Mindanao :root causes and prospects for peace

Abstract

This research has been undertaken to revisit the historical causes of the conflict of the Moros with the ruling authorities and to examine how and why the Moros resorted to an armed-struggle through various liberation movements in Mindanao. To carry out this study, the researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A historical-analytical method was also used because the conflict was very much anchored to its history. The data for this study was collected both from primary and secondary sources such as books, articles, journals, newspapers, government reports, non-governmental organization's reports, policy statements, press releases, and signed-agreements. The researcher carried out interviews with key figures of the liberation movements and distributed questionnaires to hundred of individuals from different places and walks of life in order to get primary feedbacks from the masses. Towards this end, the researcher highlighted that peace could only be attained if both the Philippine government and the Muslim groups compromise on their original stand. The former should recognize the legitimate rights of the Moros for self-determination and religious practices in its entirety, and the latter should also respect the territorial integrity of the country. The researcher discovered from the interviews and the questionnaires that Muslims want self-determination and Islamic Shari'ah to be implemented in all aspects of their life. It is believed that the government of the Philippines is willing to accommodate the demand of the Muslims, as long as the latter respects the territorial integrity of the country.