The Mindanao conflict, ‘rido,’ and foul politics

by Jennie S. Bev

The Mindanao conflict is one of the oldest and the most misunderstood conflicts in human history. The complexity of this conflict involving intricate relationships pertaining to self-determination and access and control pertaining to land, which is often referred to as “ancestral domain”, and natural resources among the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and three peoples —Muslim Bangsamoro, Christian settlers, and indigenous tribes— is made even more multifarious with vertical and horizontal clashes and other external elements. The other elements are communist rebels, extremist Muslim terrorists, capitalistic corporations, biased media favouring the government and politicians, and corrupt politicians at Manila and local levels.

With culture of impunity ever prevalent, foul politics by corrupt politicians, warlords, and military elements have been causing tremendous casualties. The recent massacre of 47 people in the town of Datu Abdullah Sanki in Maguindanao province, which has forced President Gloria Arroyo to declare national state of emergency on November 23, 2009, is a case of foul local politics between Muslim clans.

Clan conflicts in Mindanao are called “rido.” Other than politics, a “rido” can be ridden with land, familial, and marital disputes, among others.