The Mindanao Conflict: A Study on the Perception and Effects on the Philippine Islamic Center Dwellers

Abstract

The Mindanao conflict, which had its origin from the Spanish colonial era, has been one of the major issues in the country. Up to now, the Muslims are still asserting their right for self-determination while the government is seeking and promoting for integration or assimilation to gear towards nation building. The study covered the historical background of the problem, the growth and development of the Philippine Islamic Center as a Muslim community, and the perception and effects of the Mindanao conflict on the lives of the Philippine Islamic Center dwellers and on their image as Muslims. Although the conflict is based in Mindanao, Muslims in the urban areas have not been exempted/spared from its different effects. As a matter of fact, some of them experienced being blamed for the hostilities happening in city. On the other hand, there were also a few Muslims who felt unaffected and regarded the issue as not of great importance to them. However, majority of the Muslims were aware of the conflict in Mindanao and most of them perceived it as unjust, violent, and degrading. Some of them believed that the conflict and the moves adopted by the government to address it showed low regards for their lives as Muslims. Most of the residents said that the incident in Mindanao also intensified the discrimination they were experiencing from non-Muslims. The conflict also put their lives at risk because some of them were blamed and held liable for the other dreaded events in the country such as the bombings in Manila last year. Moreover, the conflict in Mindanao had various effects not only on the lives of the Muslims but also on their self image. Most feel threatened that they may be involved in the conflict even though they are already Manila-based. Some also view the conflict as degrading for they have gravely suffered from false accusations and allegations that they were terrorists and that they were responsible for the atrocities in the city. Further, a great number of Muslim residents share and desire the same aspirations of their Moro brothers seeking and struggling for secession. Hence, most of them believed that the only solution to the conflict between the government and the Muslims, represented by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, would be to allow the Muslims to govern themselves, which will only happen if genuine autonomy or independence will be granted.