Separatism in the Philippines: The Conflict
in Mindanao
By: Charmaine C. Villacorta
Throughout
the decades, separatism has always been an enduring issue in the Philippines
specifically in Mindanao. This separatist movement in Mindanao continues to struggle
for self-determination much more in this day and age. Geography, religion,
centralized form of government, and inequitable development among the regions are
the some of the factors considered as reasons that contribute to the formation
of the movement (Brillantes et
al, n.di) .
Nonetheless, are these factors adequate for a separatist movement to occur? Or
is there a deeper cause for its struggle for self-rule?
Tracing
back in history, major socio-political changes in Mindanao happened with the
helped of an Arab missionary, Shariff Kabunsuan, who introduced Islam to the
natives of the area which led to the formation of Islamic communities and
sultanates in the region (Asian Institute of Journalism and
Communication, 2011) . Mindanao has never been conquered by
the Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese who colonized the rest of the
Philippines. During his administration, President Ramon Magsaysay opened
Mindanao to Christian settlers which led to a more diversified region. Even
then, the Christians and Muslims lived in peace which did not last long as
fraudulent politicians and businessmen took advantage of the low economic state
in Mindanao.
The
Mindanaoans suffered a lot of social injustices and land grabbing. They were
rubbed of their homes which made them rise to protest and revolt against the
Philippine government. It then escalated quickly into an armed conflict between
the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Philippine Armed Forces (PAF)
which led to the deaths of many. Because of the number of casualties, there was
a need for the Organization of
Islamic Conference (OIC) to intervene in 1976 which led to the signing of the
Tripoli Agreement between the Philippine government and the MNLF. This
triggered the division of MNLF. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was
formed subsequently (ARMM, n.d) .
In the present, peace talks between the
parties involved are ongoing. It is to negotiate on terms and the legal
framework to be used to achieve autonomy. The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was
also introduced. The BBL would establish a new political entity, the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region
(BAR), replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). This bill is currently under deliberation
in the Philippine Congress.
The
separatist movement in the Philippines slowly emerged in the beginning of the
colonization period in the country – the reign of Spain. Spain made efforts to
conquer and introduce Christianity in Mindanao however these efforts failed due
to the resistance of the natives. Because of this, it would also be interesting
to know a separatist movement in Spain which would be juxtaposed to the
separatist movement in the Philippines.
Euskadi Ta Azkatasuna (ETA), which means
Basque Homeland and Liberty, is a separatist group in Spain that struggles for self
determination and self-rule through terrorism ( The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2014) . ETA emerged from
the Basque Nationalist Party as a resistance opposed to the repressive military
dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. They have suffered many social
injustices (BBC, 2011) .
Under Franco’s regime, he banned the Basque language. He also imprisoned the
Basque scholars and tortured them for their political views and cultural
beliefs. When Franco died, the transition their freedom started. Throughout the
years, series of peace talks between the government of Spain and ETA took place
to resolve the enduring predicament. Today, the Basque Country of Spain enjoys
autonomy. ETA declared cessation of its terrorism activities however most of
its insistent supporters vowed to continue to struggle for the full independence
of the Basque state.
The separatist organizations from Spain and
the Philippines have the same objective. They struggle for their independence
from both countries. They continue to fight for self determination and
self-rule. With the ongoing deliberation of BBL in the Congress, this could be
a chance for the Philippines to finally be united and be at peace.
Bibliography
The Editors of Encyclopædia
Britannica. (2014, July 20). ETA. Retrieved 2015, from Britannica:
http://www.britannica.com/topic/ETA
ARMM.
(n.d). ARMM History. Retrieved 2015, from ARMM:
http://www.armm.gov.ph/history/
Asian
Institute of Journalism and Communication. (2011). History of ARMM.
Retrieved October 2015, from Muslim Mindanao:
http://www.muslimmindanao.ph/armm.html
BBC.
(2011). Europe. Retrieved from BBC:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11183574
Brillantes
et al. (n.di). Decentralization and Federalism in the Philippines: Lessons
from Global Community. Retrieved October 25, 2015, from
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/EROPA/UNPAN032065.pdf
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