The causes and prospect of the Southern Philippines secessionist movement

Abstract

The Southern Philippines secessionist movement has developed once again into a major security concern of the Republic of the Philippines. The hostilities have taken a heavy toll on the nation's human and physical resources and hurt to the nation's economy. Likewise, the rebellion has afflicted both regional and global security because of the reported linkages of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf with the Islamic militant groups. The United States has already directly intervened in the Philippine counter-terrorism campaign by providing military assistance and deploying American combat troops in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. Peace remains elusive. Various administrations have used combinations of military, political, diplomatic and socio-economic instruments to resolve the conflict but the violence persists. The presidential regime of Fidel Ramos appeared to have achieved a breakthrough in finding a lasting solution by assiduously instituting the policies of decentralization and regional autonomy. Although the government has settled the dispute with the MNLF, other equally dangerous groups, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf have emerged espousing independence from the Republic of the Philippines. This thesis will analyze the issues and prospects surrounding the Muslim secessionist movements in the Philippines and will examine the responses to resolve the grievances of the Muslim Filipinos.