Submitted by: Sadaf Amjad
Table of Contents
From Terrorism to Peace: A Successful Case Study of the Muslims of Mindanao 1
Table of Contents 1
Introduction 3
Historical developments in Philippines 3
Deciphering the conflict in Philippines 3
Initiation of the conflict 5
MILITANT GROUPS 6
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) 6
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 6
International Terrorism in Bangsamoro 7
The Post-9/11 Response to Bangsamoro 9
Peace Agreements 9
The Tripoli Agreement 10
Jeddah Accords 1987 10
Jakarta Agreement 1996 10
The National Peace and Development Plan and the Strategy of Total Approach (STA) 11
Six Paths to Peace 12
Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro, 2014 12
Possible Impacts 12
Challenges 13
A Way Forward 15
Conclusion 16
REFERENCES 17
Introduction
Philippines, the third largest Roman Catholic country of the world is an island nation located in Southeast Asia between the Philippines and the South China Sea. The country is an archipelago made up of 7,107 islands. Another peculiarity about its locations is that it is centered on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is near to the equator that renders it to excessive earthquakes and typhoons. (Briney, 2010)
Historical developments in Philippines
Philippine is the one of the two countries of the world where majority Roman Catholics presides. This largely owes to the European explorations of the 16th century when a Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan who claimed the island in 1521 and through the 17th and 18th centuries Christianity was introduced to the Philippines.
However, the 19th century was a century of revolts and uprisings against the Spanish conquistadores. In 1896, Emilio Aguinaldo waged a revolution against Spain. During that time Spain got preoccupied in the war with America (Spanish-American War, 1896) in which Spain was defeated at Manila Bay.
References: BBC News. 2007. “Guide to the Philippines conflict”, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1695576.stm, Retrieved on 20th April 2014. BBC News. 2000. “Who are the Abu Sayyaf?”, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/719623.stm, Retrieved on 19th April 2014 Denni, C Galt, J. 2014. “Peace in Southern Philippines? The chances Improve”, http://www.jeffersongalt.com/author/content/20140126-peace-southern-philippines-chances-improve#sthash.JqhTmt31.dpuf, Retrieved on 14th April, 2014. Kerr, M. 2014. “An obligation for peace in South Philippines”, New Straits Times, http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/editorial/an-obligation-for-peace-1.537359#ixzz2yyRZ2dN9, Retrieved on 14th April,2014. Katsillis, J. 2014. “Ballot box not the bullet is way ahead for Moro rebels”, http://gulfnews.com/opinions/editorials/ballot-box-not-the-bullet-is-way-ahead-for-moro-rebels-1.1311182, Retrieved on 14th April, 2014. Merkel, J. 2014. “Peace for the Southern Philippines: The biggest fighter among many”, The Economist, http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/01/peace-southern-philippines, Retrieved on 14th April, 2014. OSAKA, H Tevis, O. 2014. “Philippines Signs Historic Peace Deal with the Muslim Rebels”, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/27/philippines-peace-deal_n_5040862.html, Retrieved on 15th April 2014 UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia