The Secessionist Movements in Southern Philippines: Prospects and Challenges in Negotiating for the Mindanao Peace Process

Abstract

Unless peaceful and negotiated settlements can be put in place and accepted by the majority of the people in the affected areas, the Bangsamoro secessionist movements in the southern Philippines will continue to affect not only the well-being of the Bangsamoro people but also the. other peoples of Mindanao. It will not only threaten the national security of the Republic of the Philippines and the stability' of Southeast Asia but also pose an important security concern for other
countries whose security interests in the region are undeniable. Hence, this paper is of significanc~ as it attempts to articulate some of the prospects and challenges that a peaceful and negotiated settlement on the secessionist problem entails in the southern Philippines.