The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao (BARMM) was a new political entity created in 2019 by virtue of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). This replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the autonomous region guaranteed by the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
The Bangsamoro people have long clamored for their right to self-determination due to the historical injustice they experienced accordingly. The complex problem of peace in Mindanao, specifically in the ARMM, was largely brought about by the shadow economy, political violence, and extrajudicial issues. These three, I believe, are interrelated.
Shadow Economy
Muslims in Mindanao, whether belonging to an affluent family or commoners, are normally engaged in trade and the possession of weapons.
Carrying one is common for them because weapons are locally manufactured and easily available. Usually, less fortunate Muslims act as agents and sell weapons to those interested, particularly influential families, for use of their private armies.
Carrying a weapon is a must for most of them, as it allows them to defend themselves in case of conflict. Next to this, some resort to drug sales as another easy form of income.
Drugs are heavily transported to Mindanao because of a lack of strict monitoring systems. Some use the “backdoor” for easier and faster distribution. And, unfortunately, the politicians capitalize on these, as the income they get from trading and selling makes them even more powerful.
Because they have so much power and money, it is easy for them to control people and let them do things, even if against their will.
Political Violence
The MNLF and MILF were established when Muslims felt that the resettlement policy of the government marginalized them. Since they have long resisted foreign rule, they felt there was a need to establish and create their own ideology, which was more founded on Islamic principles.
Sadly though, every time some of their members are unsatisfied with their rules, breakaways happen, hence the groups of Abu Sayyaf and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Today, MNLf and MILF are working with the government, but Abu Sayyaf Group and BIFF are still opposed.
Political violence is also prevalent during elections. Because incumbent officials want to retain power, they use their personal armed groups to scare people to the point of voting only for those candidates who favor them.
As opposing parties refuse to give way, conflict happens at the expense of the poor, illiterate men holding arms as instructed.
Extra Judicial Issues
“Rido” is the most common among these.It is a blood feud or a sequence of homicides caused by an insult or shame to the honor of a family or its members , called "maratabat." Once maratabat is besmirched, rido is inevitable.
Rido takes the form of tribal conflict or clan warfare, where the killings are often carried on for generations. Rido causes vary depending on the tribe, but it is most common among Maranaos, followed by Maguindanaons.
Many perceive rido as a false pride, but for the Maranaos and Maguindanaons, it is a responsibility, rooted in defending their kin.
They believe that the Qur’an says it is a must for Muslims to defend their kin. Forgetting, on the other hand, that what the Qur'an provides is guiding ethics.
As it may be said, vengeance is acceptable, but forgiveness is still better.