Southern Philippines Conflict
Braving the Waves: Gray-Market Trade and Maritime Security in the Sulu Sea
December 4, 2019
Blog Post
In the Sulu Archipelago, off the Philippine island of Mindanao, a demimonde of illicit traders in radar-evading wooden boats smuggle needed goods from Malaysia, while government agents offer protection in exchange for a cut of the profits.
Marawi and Beyond: A Look at Violent Extremism
June 28, 2017
Blog Post
Given the continued chatter on social media about the tragic attack by a gunman at Resorts World Casino on June 2, it is worthwhile to begin this piece by debunking the notion that it might be connected to Islamic State. Granted, ISIS tried to immediately claim that this was one of their “lone wolf” attacks, but that was clearly not the case. Close… Read more
Unpacking Martial Law in Mindanao
May 31, 2017
Blog Post
Even by Philippine standards, the past week has been a tumultuous one. Militants linked to Islamic State fought security forces in the Islamic City of Marawi, President Duterte cut short a state visit to Russia and declared Martial Law in Mindanao, and peace negotiations with the Communist insurgents seem on the verge of breakdown. President Dutert… Read more
Energy Crisis in the Philippines: An Electricity or Presidential Power Shortage?
March 18, 2015
Blog Post
As predicted, the Philippines is heading into a severe “summer” power crisis. One peculiarity of the widespread use of English in the Philippines is the mismatch between seasonal names and the months of the year. Leaves start falling from trees in March – is it “autumn?”
One Year After Siege, Zamboanga Critical to Success of Any Peace Agreement
September 10, 2014
Blog Post
On Sept. 9, 2013, Zamboanga City woke to an unfolding nightmare. Some 200 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters under the charismatic commander Ustadz Habier Malik had landed. They professed, despite the fact that they were fully armed, an intention merely to have a peaceful march in support of independence for Muslim-dominated areas in the southern Philippines. When government security forces halted their march, MNLF forces took hostages as a string of human shields, tying them together with rope. As a nightmare, this was a recurrence…
Subnational Conflict: New Approaches Needed
August 13, 2014
Blog Post
In last week’s In Asia, I examined how the rise of Asia in recent decades has been accompanied by a growth in deadly subnational conflicts (SNCs). These conflicts are occurring across the continent, including in middle-income and otherwise stable states. Democratization has not been a cure. Asia’s subnational conflicts last twice as long as those elsewhere in the world.
Minorities within the Minority: Indigenous Communities in the Bangsamoro
August 6, 2014
Blog Post
In March this year, a major milestone passed in the 40-year effort to end hostilities in the Philippines between the national government and Muslim separatist fronts. The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a Comprehensive…
Implementation of Bangsamoro Holds Lessons for Philippines as a Whole
March 26, 2014
Blog Post
As we prepare for the long-awaited March 27 signing in Manila between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, one of the striking things of the peace process…
Coronations, Clan Organizing, and Conflict Resolution: Moving Toward a More Peaceful Mindanao
September 9, 2009
Blog Post
This past July, the community of the Islamic City of Marawi gathered to celebrate the enthronement of Attorney Saidamen B. Pangarungan as Sultan of Madaya. For over 10 years the leadership of the Sultanate of Madaya was vacant because of conflict between the Sarip Batua and Datu a Pitiilan family clans. Through the efforts of a local NGO, Reconcili… Read more