What do you see as the root cause of insurgency in Mindanao that has allowed armed groups to perpetrate kidnappings almost at will?

Edgar Artates, Parañaque CITY: Poverty, poor education, lack of livelihood, and plenty of loose firearms are the main ingredients of insurgency and kidnappings.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I guess the root cause of insurgency in Mindanao is the dissatisfaction, discontentment and disappointment of our Muslim brothers.  

The cause is complex

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: The problem of insurgency and kidnapping in Mindanao defies explanation because even the government seems clueless to solve or handle it.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: The cause of insurgency in Mindanao is complex. We have soft government leaders because politics is their top priority. We spend a substantial amount for our military academy to produce well-trained soldiers, but we have more officers than enlisted men. Our government leaders neglect or refuse to understand that Muslims exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of population. At 10 to 20 per cent, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their condition. Even if, say, Muslims become the majority, there will still be no peace. Radical Muslims will intimidate, spew hatred and satisfy their blood lust by killing less radical Muslims for a variety of reasons.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: The question lumps together insurgents with bandits and criminals who make a living off kidnapping and banditry. But it’s not fair to zero in on Mindanao because this problem of armed groups kidnapping at will is everywhere. It just happens that the Muslim Abu Sayyaf group’s atrocities hog the spotlight while Muslim separatist groups have been waging a war of attrition.  

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: The root causes of insurgency in Mindanao are socio-politico-economic in nature, almost similar with the communist insurgency. First, our brother and sister Muslims were disenfranchised from their own lands by the Christianization policy of old whereby a document determined whether you got to keep your land or not. Second, our brother and sister Muslims have their own distinct culture including unique educational, justice, and spiritual systems that cannot be simply assimilated into the Christian way of doing things. Third, the ineffectiveness of governance undermines any serious effort to resolve the insurgency problem. All too often, political leaders themselves are part of the problem, not the solution.  

Government neglect

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: Mindanao was once called the Land of Promise because of its vast economic potentials, but past administrations didn’t realize that promise. Now it is considered a land of terror because of insurgency, the root cause of which is its undeveloped economy.  

Digoy Coro, Batangas: The root cause is poverty. The majority are very poor because of government neglect and corruption in government.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: It’s the age-old non-caring attitude of the government of “Imperial Manila”. Mindanao, the forgotten promised land, now sits in seemingly endless turmoil.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: The causes are lack of education, absence of economic opportunity, and government neglect that result in poverty. The Abu Sayyaf is no different from NPA rebels in other parts of the country. Poor folks from rural areas are enticed to join the group not because of ideology but as a means to uplift their way of life. They resort to extortion, kidnapping for ransom, robbery and whatnot. Insurgents in Mindanao have been emboldened after the Sepada and Dos Palmas incidents, during which millions of dollars were paid in ransom.  

Avelino Falcon, Saudi Arabia: The neglect of “Imperial Manila” on the socio-economic development of the area aggravated by the racial discrimination felt by our Muslim brothers in all aspects of their daily existence.  

Charese Margaret Chua, Bacolod City: I think one of the major reasons is the negligence of the government. Because of the oversight of government officials, people have started not caring even if what they do results in negative things. This negligence has opened the door to crime, poverty and all sorts of evils.  

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: The Muslims in Mindanao have been cheated by their Christian brothers of their ancestral lands like the aborigines in America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and many other nations. But unlike the American Indians, the government did not compensate them for their lands. They have no lands to till nor enough education to qualify them for regular jobs; so, they become insurgents where they can earn easy money with kidnapping, extortion and robberies.  

Louella Brown, Baguio City: I see as the root causes of insurgency in Mindanao government neglect and discrimination. This has allowed armed groups to perpetrate kidnappings.  

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: The root cause of insurgency in Mindanao is the feeling of neglect of Muslims and insurgents. Another is the networking of the terrorist network (Al-Qaeda), which has contributed to the intensification of the Abu Sayyaf network.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Fellow Filipinos who are Muslims have felt sidelined by the Philippine government since their first uprising. They find themselves neglected because most developmental projects fall on regions not their own, which only aggravates their poverty situation. Having realized their potential to be heard, some of their leaders organized themselves, not only as political leaders but also as armed groups. Those who armed themselves resorted to engaging the government diplomatically or militarily in their quest for self-determination, with the end view of carving for themselves their own territory to govern. Not winning in this battle for so long a time and with funds dwindling, they turned to kidnapping, thus also attracting international attention. Early kidnappings were lucrative in that it has become their bread and butter, not only to augment their resources, but also to live up to their ideals as fighters for the Muslim cause, or so they think.  

Glen Reyes, Quezon City: Poverty and the local government’s inability to provide simple services like health care, education and protection from lawless elements like the Abu Sayyaf.  

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: During Marcos’ time, there were gallant warriors in Mindanao fighting for their ancestral lands. But after decades, it appears that only their leaders have benefited from the war with the government. Many Muslims were being left out and still live miserably. Their basic needs and basic services in far-flung areas were neglected. This has resulted in some disgruntled armed groups resorting to kidnappings and banditry.  

Imee Aglibot, USA: For these Muslim brothers of ours, they don’t get their equal share of the pie. They feel left out, abandoned. They are outcasts with no sense of belonging.  

The lure of easy money

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Islamic terrorism is a global phenomenon. Where there be misguided, impoverished, armed Muslims, kidnap for ransom is one way of waging jihad versus infidels with the added benefit of making easy money.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Money. They are motivated by the idea that it’s the easiest way to fortune and fame, and not the practice of Islam in the true sense.  

Nepahmy Alapar, Bacolod City: The hunger for money, as well as the existence of greed among people lead to their ability to betray their companions.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Laziness. These lazy folks choose guns over plows, which leads them to perpetrate kidnappings. Too bad enterprising leaders saw its profitability.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: It’s the easiest way to earn money. Victims are submissive because it’s their lives at stake. The government’s no-ransom policy is pambobola. Vagni and previous victims would not have been released without money. This, I say, is their way of life. This Mindanao crisis will never come to end.  

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: In the beginning, troubles in Mindanao had something to do with religion. But in the 20th century, insurgency evolved in Mindanao, with the minority feeling left out from the mainstream of Filipino life and neglected by the government. This became a reason to fight for identity. However, their objectives have been muddled by the activities of some groups who have gone into banditry after finding it lucrative to kidnap people and take foreigners hostage.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Poverty, the lure of big money, and the protection given to Abu Sayaff by the residents and local officials.  

Underdevelopment in Mindanao

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I believe that extreme poverty is the root cause of rampant kidnappings in Mindanao. It’s probably because of the inability and neglect of our government to support the issue of economic development and recovery. This is a long-standing and chronic problem.  

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: The root cause of insurgency in Mindanao is the lack of socio-economic development in the area.  

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: The undeveloped countrysides, especially in the hinterlands of Mindanao.  

Nap Cinco, Rizal: As they always say, the root cause of insurgency in Mindanao is the lack of economic development.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: The absence of financial support from the government through cottage industries forces locals to condone kidnappings as a form of resignation to their fate.  

Foreign intervention

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: Foreign interventions in the guise of aid tend to escalate insurgency in a country and finding its root cause won’t help its leaders in eradicating it.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Poverty and illiteracy aggravated by groups with vested interests and clans that dominate the political scene, fanned by extremism and further complicated by the disguised intention of an alien power to be sovereign in the area. I’ve observed that the alien has reestablished its base in the area. Their military top brass inspect the area like a frontline post and the whole country is simply an R&R destination for its soldiers.  

Self-preservation

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Its due to secessionists for a Bangsa Moro entity gone awry. The Abu Sayyaf/JI is an alter ego of MILF to undertake kidnap for ransom to augment funds for survival.  

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: Poverty and the Muslims’ self-preservation of their heritage are the two root causes of insurgency in Mindanao.  

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: Their choices are simple: Drive foreign enemies away from Mindanao or fight for their land and Islam.  

Religious fanaticism

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: These are caused by religious fanatics and their wrong interpretation of the Koran. The truth is that the majority of the Muslims do not share the fanatics’ belief. Other causes, such as the intrusion of Christian settlers from Luzon and Visayas in Muslim lands and the perceived treatment of the government of our Muslim brethren as second-class citizens, are just offshoots of religious fanaticism. It is unfortunate that there are also extreme religious fanatics such as the JI in some Muslim countries that support Muslim insurgents in Mindanao. There are also Filipino military scalawags who sell arms and ammunition to insurgents. How sad!  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: The Abu Sayyaf, MILF, JI, MNLF renegades and the distorted interpretation of the prophet’s Koran, coupled with decades of government neglect, all contribute to this problem. Corrupt government officials; ignorant, fanatical, blind fundamentalist extremists  all of them heaped more fuel to ignite the already highly volatile situation. If GMA or her successor wants to end this scourge, they should go all out: a. Annihilate the problem at the source; b. Help our Muslim brothers; or c. Send Bro. Ed and Mike to preach the word of God so they will reform  and prepare ransom money for these two if they fail to convert!  

It dates back to history

Loi Castillo, Davao City: The insurgency in Mindanao is no different from the insurgency in Luzon. NPAs also conduct kidnappings in Rizal. What’s the root cause of the insurgencies in both islands? It goes back to the time when Martial Law was declared in the Seventies.  

Ancestral domain

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Tribal war on ancestral domain claims among lumads, moros and Christian oligarchs. It is only through federalism that we can minimize, if not abolish, kidnappings in Mindanao with poverty reduction programs and by providing equal opportunities to all.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Poverty, no job opportunities and land-grabbing are the root causes of it all.  

Poverty and lack of education

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Laziness breeds poverty. Most of our Muslim brothers prefer guns to plows; they prefer banditry and kidnapping to working.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Poverty, lack of education and basic needs cause some men in Mindanao to join armed groups.  

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: The root cause is lack of stable jobs, so people resort to other money-making ventures to earn a living.  

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: I think it’s abject poverty, which has been long prevalent in Mindanao, forcing our Muslim brothers to take up arms and engage in kidnapping as a means of livelihood.  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Poverty and lack of education. The ASG believes that kidnapping and killing Christians will lead them to paradise. Besides, ransoms pay handsomely.  

Jae Delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: Poverty is one possible root cause and their hunger for power to rule and overthrow the government.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Poverty, which includes low productivity; environmental degradation; and injustice, which includes human right violations and land conflicts.  

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: First, Mindanao is not really a well-developed place compared to Luzon; thus, it is easy for kidnappers to hide with their captives. Second, its economy is bad, so that makes kidnapping a dime a dozen. Third, there is easy money in kidnappings because most will pay a ransom. That is why I don’t believe that ransom was not paid on the release of Vagni. The people who abducted him are not stupid to let him go freely.  

Plain greed

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: Graft and corruption in government. Some government officials even profit from this insurgency.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Since time immemorial, Muslims have been crying injustice and inequity, which have caused the region’s poverty and illiteracy. These causes now include corruption and hypocrisy of the highest form of powers-that-be.  

Edwin Monares, Rizal: Greed, insincerity and corruption are the root causes of insurgency in Mindanao. If only the military would conduct honest-to-goodness operations and earn the trust and confidence of the people, then the problem will be half-solved. There is a strong indication of collusion that is grounded on selfish interest out of greed. The system is corrupted so operations are not successful to mitigate, if not solve, the problem of kidnapping. Poverty and religion are the convenient excuses, but these are not the true causes of the problem.    

Ill will in our hearts

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Ill will in our hearts is the cause of war. Cleansing our hearts of ill will and filling our hearts with love towards all is the only solution.  

Jony Lei Veloso, Metro Manila: I believe hatred has been implanted and handed down from generation to generation. These anti-government groups have adopted the mentality of war, so much so that they are willing to risk anything just so they could prove their worth in Philippine society.  

Kathleen Magbanua, Metro Manila: Organized criminal groups deserve to be punished for all the attacks and violence they have inflicted against both Muslims and Christians. But I find it an excellent idea for the Armed Forces to change their usual military strategy by trying to reach out peacefully to the bandits. I believe that civil military operations and not purely combat operations can be the best mode to win the battle without the damage caused by bullets and mortars. Who knows? This could be a turning point for lasting peace and development in Mindanao.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: The root cause of this insurgency is the deep-rooted hatred that culminated from the long standing, centuries-old Christian-Muslim feud.  

Andrew Castro, Metro Manila: It’s good to know that the Armed Forces exerted all its efforts to free kidnapped victim Italian ICRC volunteer Eugenio Vagni in Jolo. Being reunited with his family after more than a half year of ordeal from his captors is a miracle. I salute all the soldiers for all their sacrifices. A lot of people in Mindanao are wishing that this will develop further toward enduring peace and development in the region. Christians and Muslims must strongly unite to fight and end terrorism. We all have a role in ending bloodshed in Mindanao because we are all stakeholders of peace and democracy.  

Nony de Leon, Bulacan: The root cause of the insurgency in Mindanao is the long-lasting, deep-seated mutual distrust between Muslims and non-Muslims.  

Kid-glove treatment

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: After Erap got tough on the MILF, GMA’s government continues to use kid-glove treatment against them. The military should go on a search-and-destroy operation versus the ASG.    

Jose Jumawan, Palawan: These armed groups also want to live like us. The thing to do is to fight the fear of God in them by an unrelenting show of force.  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: The root cause of insurgency in Mindanao is simply because they can succeed and their demands are heard. Every time there’s an encounter and kidnapping, it takes months for our government to resolve the problem. Sometimes, the military finds itself in an embarrassing situation because of their failure to pulverize the enemies.  

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I’d say its lacking political will to treat the Abu Sayyaf group and its allies with an iron hand/scorched earth policy. They should treated as mad dogs.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: How would you rate the Arroyo government in terms of the provision of basic social services?

If registered, text philstar<space>fb<space>your message and send to 2256 (all networks)

To register, text philstar<space>reg<space>name,gender,birthdate,address and send to 2256 (all networks)

You may also email your views to: [email protected].