Shifting Paradigms

Solidarity Groups and the Muslim Secessionist Problem in the Philippines

Authors

  • Sharon Advincula Caringal University of the Philippines Manila

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/cis.v7i1-2.209

Keywords:

secessionist movements, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)

Abstract

This article gives a summation of the Filipino experience in handling the secessionist movement in Muslim Mindanao and the key role played by the international, regional and national solidarity organizations in facilitating a peaceful resolution to this long standing Muslim problem. It discusses the nature of the Muslims’ struggle, their aspirations and their real condition with the end in view of identifying the lessons that can be drawn from it. I factor in the differences between the two groups (the majority- the colonized and the minority- the Muslims in southern Philippines) and use the perspective of a social science practitioner not only in my analysis and interpretation but also in coming up with a “Model for Third Party Intervention” (please refer to the Framework). In view of this model, this article proceeds with an evaluation of the effectiveness of cross border solutions to a national problem. In the end, a clearer picture of how the countries in the Middle East and Asia interact with each other and with the other countries of the world in responding to the Muslim problem in Mindanao should have been provided.

Author Biography

  • Sharon Advincula Caringal, University of the Philippines Manila
    Sharon Advincula Caringal teaches Asian History, History of Religions at the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila. An advocate of human rights and social justice, her research interests are conflict resolution, capability and consensus building, international humanitarian law and policy studies. A member of the prestigious Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Science, Professor Caringal received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Master in Public Management degree from the University of the Philippines, the country’s premier and only national university.

References

Adriano, Fermin. “Mindanao Peace and Development Imperatives: A Call to Action.” A paper read during the Philippine Development Forum on March 26–27, 2008.

Agoncillo, Teodoro. History of the Filipino People. Quezon City, 1990.

Collier, Paul, et al. Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.

Defense Policy Paper. Department of National Defense. Quezon City, 1998.

George, T. J. S. Revolt in Mindanao: The Rise of Islam in Philippine Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980.

Gowing, Peter. Mandate In Moroland: The American Government of Muslim Filipinos, 1899-1921. Quezon City: University of the Philippine Press, 1977.

Lingga, Abhoud Syed M. “Mindanao Peace Process: The Need for a New Formula.” In The Mindanao Conflict, Kamarulzaman Askandar and Ayesah Abubakar, edited by edited by Kamarulzaman Askandar and Ayesah Abubakar, 1–15. Penang. Malaysia: The Southeast Asian Conflict Studies Network, 2005.

Majul, Cesar A. Muslims in the Philippines. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Asian Center, 1973.

Martin, G. “U.S. Interests in the Philippines Peace Process.” Bangsamoro Forum. No.2. This paper was delivered during the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies Forum on United States Interests in Mindanao Peace Process held at Cotabato City, Philippines on March 29, 2006.

National Statistics and Coordination Board. http://www.nscb.gov.ph. Vol 9, no. 8, March 5, 2008.

Santos, Jr., Soliman M. “Peace Negotiations Between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front: Causes and Prescriptions.” Working Papers No. 3. East-West Center Washington, 2005.

Rasul, Jainal D. Sr. (2003). Struggle for Identity: A Short History of the Filipino Muslims. Quezon City: CARE Minorities, Inc.

Tan, Samuel K. “Sulu Under American Military Rule.” Philippine Social Sciences and Humanities Review 32(1), (March 1967): 1–187.

———. Internationalization of the Bangsamoro Struggle. University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies, Quezon City, 1993.

Tanggol, Sukarno D. “Regional Autonomy and Social Development: Some Notes on the Case of Muslim Mindanao.” Philippine Journal of Public Administration 34(1), (January 1990): 1–26.

Tuazon, Bobby M. The Moro Reader: History and Contemporary Struggle of the Bangsamoro People. Quezon City: CenPeg Books, 2008.

United Nations Development Programme. “Human Development Report 2006: Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Global Water Crisis.” New York: United Nations Development Programme, 2006.

Vitug, Marites and Glenda M. Gloria. Under the Crescent Moon: Rebellion in Mindanao. Quezon City: Ateneo Center for Social and Public Affairs and Institute for Popular Democracy, 2000.

Wadi, Julfiki M. “Islamic Diplomacy: A Case Study of the OIC and the Pacific Settlement of the Bangsamoro Question (1972–1992).” Unpublished MA Thesis, Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines, 1993.

Watanabe, Akiko. “Muslim Communities in Manila, Philippines.” Working Paper Series No. 37, Afrasian Center for Peace and Development Studies, 2008.

Published

2012-09-20

Issue

Section

Transnational Allegiances and Local Culture in Asia

How to Cite

Caringal, S. A. (2012). Shifting Paradigms: Solidarity Groups and the Muslim Secessionist Problem in the Philippines. Comparative Islamic Studies, 7(1-2), 209-236. https://doi.org/10.1558/cis.v7i1-2.209