Videos

Conflict’s Long Game: A Decade of Violence in the Bangsamoro

Why does violent conflict persist in the Bangsamoro? Ten years of granular evidence has presented a trendline of violent conflict during the most delicate and significant period in the contemporary history of Muslim Mindanao.

The Conflict Alert 2022 Book, entitled Conflict’s Long Game: A Decade of Violence in the Bangsamoro, features a compendium of thematic chapters narrating the analysis of the severity, magnitude, and causes of conflict in the Bangsamoro from 2011 to 2020.

Why does violent conflict persist despite the political settlements achieved to end wars in Mindanao?

Why does violent conflict persist despite the political settlements achieved to end wars in Mindanao?

Conflict Alert’s final publication, "Conflict’s Long Game: A Decade of Violence in the Bangsamoro," includes a compendium of thematic chapters narrating the analysis of the severity, magnitude, and causes of conflict in the Bangsamoro from 2011 to 2020.

Why does violent conflict persist despite the political settlements achieved to end wars in Mindanao?

Why does violent conflict persist despite the political settlements achieved to end wars in Mindanao?

Marawi bakwits call for #MarawiCompensationNow!

Ngayong #SONA2021, panawagan ng mga bakwit ng #Marawi sa ating Pangulo at mga mambabatas #MarawiCompensationNow!

Pakinggan natin ang kanilang hinaing. Tulungan natin sila na iparating ito sa mga kinauukulan. Please share now!

Conflict Alert methodology

Conflict Alert tracks and analyzes violent conflict, defined as incident/s where two or more parties use intimidation, force, or physical violence to exert control, settle misunderstandings or grievances, or defend and expand their individual or collective interests (e.g., social, economic, political resources and power, etc.)

Enduring Wars

The Conflict Alert 2020 report presents analysis on conflict dynamics and trends from 2011 to 2019 in the Bangsamoro, highlighting the rise of violence in pockets and corridors of the region within a picture of continued overall decline of violent conflict across provinces. The report tackles the high incidence of identity, resource, and political violence and the persistent nature of violent extremism and shadow economies of drugs and weapons in the region.

Power, Peace, and Place: Why firms account for their actions

Power, Peace, and Place is a paradigmatic appeal to those who believe that power relations can be altered, peace can be achieved, and place can secure the bounties of a lasting peace. The story of the Davao Multi-Stakeholder Group for Energy Concerns (DMGENCO) attests to this notion – a collaboration between an energy firm, civil society actors, and local government executives that helped strengthen inclusive and conflict-sensitive strategies to guide new investments and plans for promoting energy production, management, and distribution across Mindanao.

Flooding in Datu Salibo

Datu Salibo, a landlocked municipality in Maguindanao Province, has been submerged in floodwater for years. Floodwaters remain even without rain. It has become a normal part of people’s everyday life.

Watch this short documentary that explores a topic that people have stopped talking about. It was produced by commUNITY Voice, a group of young leaders who were trained by International Alert and Build Up on participatory videomaking as a tool for peacebuilding. Mostly locals themselves, the filmmakers aim to raise awareness on the issue to finally find a lasting solution – to end what has been considered acceptable suffering, to change the landscape that has curtailed dreams, and to open up new opportunities for growth.

Resource Use and Management Planning

Since 2012, International Alert has partnered with local governments, communities, including indigenous peoples, and business in developing and implementing community-based Resource Use and Management Planning (RUMP). The RUMP enabled a process of identifying resources, mapping claims and conflict timeline, and developing strategies for resource use that is adaptable, inclusive, participatory, and conflict-sensitive.

For communities, RUMP has served as a platform to meaningfully participate in development planning and negotiate from a position of strength their collective aspirations. Local governments, likewise utilised RUMP to complement their Comprehensive Land Use Plans and investment plans. RUMPs have facilitated economic activities and conflict-sensitive development projects that improve lives and strengthen long-term prospects for peace.

The T'boli of Lake Sebu (Cultural Preservation)

The T'boli of Lake Sebu keep their culture and traditions alive through young people that take on the responsibility of passing these on to the next generations.

At this crucial time of the Bangsamoro transition, let’s turn to the T’boli example and be inspired to respect, preserve, and cultivate various unique cultural identities in the region. Only in celebrating each other can we truly promote peace and inclusion in Muslim Mindanao and the whole Philippines.

This film was produced by members of CommUNITY Voice, a group of young leaders who were trained by International Alert and Build Up on participatory videomaking as a tool for peacebuilding.

Critical Events Monitoring System

Did you know that there are ways to track critical precursor events to prevent violence and its escalation?

Our partner, The Early Response Network (ERN) of Lanao del Sur, monitors tensions, conflict incidents, disasters, and displacement to prevent these from erupting into violent flashpoints. They use the Critical Events Monitoring System (CEMS) to capture, record, and relay these critical events to relevant stakeholders in order to coordinate quick and context-specific response.

Watch the story here on how they tackled two incidents that could have had massive ripple effects under different circumstances.

Celebrating Diversity and Building Everyday Peace on #WorldHijabDay2019

Clan feuding or rido is one of the major causes of conflict deaths in Muslim Mindanao. Generations in the Iranun Corridor in Maguindanao experience rido and it is usually the women and the young people who bear the brunt. Widows bear the responsibility of raising families. Many orphans do not go to school because of fear of retaliation from the warring party. Rido limits not only freedom of movement but also opportunities and so many dreams.

Watch this film on rido produced by our young leaders from the Iranun Corridor who want to say enough to wasted lives; who want to raise their voices through this story and send the message that justice cannot only be met by the barrel of a gun.

War Makes States

Violent conflict declined in the Bangsamoro starting 2017 and plunged further in 2018 a year after the Marawi war. The decline was observed across all provinces and in almost all conflict causes.

What conditions brought about the relative peace in the region? How can we maintain this fragile peace, especially during the critical period of the Bangsamoro transition process?

The Conflict Alert 2019 Report, entitled War Makes States, highlights how the state apparatus has provided a fragile peace in the Bangsamoro in 2018 and shows existing threats that may cause a rebound to conflict if similar strategies that allowed a more stable environment will not be institutionalized.

Ramadan

As the Muslim world celebrates Eid Al-Fitr, let's listen to our friends in the Philippines and understand more about what Ramadan means to them and why they observe this practice that is central to their faith and identity.

Maratabat: Stories of Valor in Marawi

We remember the valor that local people, now our partners in peacebuilding, have demonstrated during the Marawi siege. We believe that if they survived the horrendous situation in 2017, they will emerge victorious in rebuilding their lives and their city, and in keeping their maratabat alive.

Two years have passed since the beginning of the crisis. It has brought death, displacement, and suffering to many of our Meranao brothers and sisters. We remain confident in their unwavering hope, deep sense of pride, and perseverance to mend relationships torn by the siege and re-establish their communities and their city in consonance with their culture and aspirations as the great people of the lake -- if only the government would let them.

We are one with our partners and with communities in Marawi in the hope that on the third year, they will finally be able return home and live peacefully and prosperously once again.

Celebrating Diversity and Building Everyday Peace on #WorldHijabDay2019

Senior high school students of Taguig National High School (TNHS) wore the Hijab (head covering) for a day in solidarity with Muslim women and girls. This event is part of World Hijab Day, an annual global event that asks citizens of all faiths to try the clothing to combat discrimination and celebrate diversity.

International Alert Philippines organized the activity with TNHS and United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) Maharlika Village. Maharlika village is a Muslim-dominated enclave in Taguig City.

Makabayan (short film)

Five members of our youth network, Project Tripod, from Marawi, Iranun Corridor, Cotabato City, and Quezon City asked people in Metro Manila why all Filipinos should care about issues in Mindanao.

Watch this short film entitled "Makabayan" to know their opinions.

Imahe (short film)

Why do Moros from Mindanao move to Metro Manila? How do they cope with life in a predominantly Christian megacity?

Today, we launch “Imahe”, a short film that narrates the lives of three people who have found refuge in a Muslim community in Metro Manila.

Kaugalian (short film)

What experiences and challenges do Muslim Filipinos working in Manila face? What values and traditions help them adjust in the workplace?

On International Peace Day, we are proud to present this short film produced by 5 young leaders from the Iranun Corridor, Sulu, and Zamboanga City, that reflects on the struggles that Muslim Filipinos face in their places of employment.

Iftar for Women and Youth

Some 160 women and youth from Muslim communities of Baseco, Maharlika Village, and Culiat gathered last June 12 to break fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

This event was organized by International Alert Philippines with support from the New Zealand Government to celebrate unity in diversity through food. The food were prepared by nine women from these communities as well.

SHIFT/s (Shifting Hybrid Initiatives for Inclusive Transformation)

Why are the youth involved in violence? Why is there a low participation in peacebuilding activities among them? Why aren't schools used as a safe space to talk about issues that affect the youth?

Conflict Alert: Understanding Conflict

Conflict Alert is International Alert Philippines' response to a reality when newly-emerging forms of violence, including violent extremism, have become the new norm. It is a tool to monitor conflict across Mindanao in the Southern Philippines. It tracks the actors, causes, and costs, by gathering data from the police, the military, the media, and communities.

Red Flags on Equality and Diversity in the Workplace

How can Philippine companies create an inclusive and diverse workplace? Why do they even need to do so? The Red Flags on Equality and Diversity in the Workplace provide practical guidelines in checking discrimination in places of employment, particularly against Muslims and indigenous peoples. They show how companies, by adhering to these principles, improve labor relations, foster motivation and creativity among workers, improve reputation, boost profits, and ultimately build everyday peace.