Abstract
This chapter seeks to explain the process whereby the Armed Forces of the Philippines engages in peace operations, while fighting various guerrilla forces and insurgent groups in conflict-stricken communities in the southern Philippines. It focuses on the major initiatives of the Philippine military to contribute in the attainment of peace that apparently eludes Mindanao for more than four decades. This chapter tackles the relationship of the military with major power holders and brokers in the conflict zone, particularly the warlords and rebel commanders as well as the vulnerable group, the people at the grassroots. It also devotes attention to the collaborative efforts of the military with other peace-building organizations in Mindanao. This study employs first-hand information that is gathered through combination of different research strategies such as interviews with experts from the Philippine military, universities, and civil society organizations, and ethnographic field observation in conflict-ridden communities. This chapter concludes that the Philippine military is no longer relying on its traditionally hard and rigid approach to counter insurgency and terrorism in Mindanao. It is employing different soft approaches through its engagement in peace-building not only to curtail separatism and radicalism but also to lessen the communal divide, and hence promote reconciliation between and among the people of Mindanao (14 pages).
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- 1.
The Philippine Constabulary no longer exists today; it was integrated into the Philippine National Police in 1991. For more information about the Philippine Constabulary visit http://www.rappler.com/nation/146824-duterte-revive-philippine-constabulary
- 2.
Confidential interview with a Marine Officer in Tawi-tawi, Philippines.
- 3.
Confidential interview with a military officer in Mindanao.
- 4.
Based on Mohagher Iqbal’s speech delivered during the 13th Sultan Kudarat Awards 30 December 2016, General Santos City, Philippines.
- 5.
Confidential interview with a Muslim woman and civil society leader on 24 April 2016 in Davao City, Philippines.
- 6.
Confidential interview with a tribal chieftain of Arumanen-Manobo on 24 April 2016 in Davao City, Philippines.
- 7.
Excerpt from the interview with Prof. Rufa Cagoco-Guiam, Director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao, Mindanao State University, on 22 August 2016, General Santos City, Philippines.
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Espesor, J.C. (2019). Soldiers, Rebels, and Overlords. In: Ratuva, S., Compel, R., Aguilar, S. (eds) Guns & Roses: Comparative Civil-Military Relations in the Changing Security Environment. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2008-8_15
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