Mindanao, Philippines is a vibrant land of cultures and traditions, each adding richness to our shared lives. In Iligan, Lanao Del Norte—the city I proudly call home—I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of community and diversity. Here, coexistence among Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous Peoples reflects a deep respect for our cultural and historical legacies. This spirit of unity in diversity serves as a reminder that while our paths may differ, our shared values and aspirations bind us, creating a foundation for peace and mutual respect in Mindanao.
However, in this land of contrasts, hope often flickers but is dimmed by persistent challenges. While peace is possible, it is never guaranteed, as the wounds of the past continue to divide our dream of a peaceful Mindanao.
Historical Context
Mindanao has endured decades of violent socio-political conflicts, stemming from ethnic and religious tensions. The Mindanao conflict has its roots in colonial history, exacerbated by land dispossession and political marginalization of the Moro (Muslim) people. The arrival of Christian settlers from Luzon and Visayas, especially during the American and post-war periods (McKenna, 1998) led to land disputes and disenfranchisement of the indigenous Moro and Lumad (Indigenous People) populations (IOM, 2011).
Armed struggles have been ongoing since the 1960s, notably with the formation of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and later, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), seeking self-determination and autonomy (Osaka, 2008). This complex struggle has led to cycles of violence, peaking with the Marawi Siege of 2017, which displaced more than 350,000 people and left the city in ruins (UNHCR, 2019). Even with the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019, intergenerational trauma and a fragile peace persist.
Initiatives for Peace
Way back in September 1961, the Mindanao State University (MSU) System was founded with a mission that went beyond traditional education—it aimed to foster cultural integration and promote social cohesion among Mindanao’s diverse communities, especially the Muslim population. Established as a government response to the “Mindanao problem”—a term that underscores the longstanding grievances of Filipino Muslims seeking to assert their cultural and spiritual identity—MSU set out to bridge the divides that had fueled conflict in the region. The institution’s commitment was to offer quality, relevant public education that could empower Mindanao’s communities and facilitate their integration into the nation’s socio-cultural and political fabric.
To deepen this mission, the MSU Board of Regents, during its 182nd Meeting on December 7, 2001, established the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM). With a mandate to address the complex dynamics between Muslim and Christian communities, IPDM was designed to foster justice, peace, and mutual understanding. It aimed to expand knowledge, promote intercultural awareness, and heighten sensitivity between the peoples of Mindanao and the broader Philippine society. This commitment reflects a sustained effort to support the peace process by addressing not only the immediate but also the deep-seated issues underlying conflict in Mindanao.
As an alumnus of MSU-Iligan, I have witnessed firsthand the institution’s dedication to these ideals, and I see IPDM’s work as a vital element in Mindanao’s journey toward lasting peace and inclusive development.
Establishment of MYCOP
The MSU-IIT Youth Chain of Peace (MYCOP) was later founded in 2007 as the youth arm of MSU-IIT’s IPDM. I joined MYCOP in August 2022 as a volunteer, became its president in 2023, and now serve on its board of directors. MYCOP since then has been driven by a singular goal: that peace is possible through and by the youth of Mindanao, even in a land marked by conflict. With its network of youth volunteers and peace advocates, MYCOP aspires to make spaces for empathy and understanding among diverse groups, co-creating youth-led initiatives—believing that despite the deep divisions of conflict, empathy and understanding can bridge the widest gaps.
Youth Living in Conflict
Youth living in conflict are caught between the hopes of the past and the unforgiving realities of conflict—struggling to navigate such realities further impacts their development and participation to democratic processes. The youth, particularly those from first-generation students, Bangsamoro, Lumad communities, and descendants of Christian settlers, inherit not just a legacy of violence but also a cycle of limited opportunities.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows that Mindanao has some of the highest poverty rates in the country, with 34.8% of the population in BARMM living below the poverty line as of 2023. This economic disparity often intersects with ethnic and religious tensions, fueling a cycle of marginalization and radicalization, particularly among the youth.
According to the 2019 report from the Asia Foundation and Rappler, poverty and exclusion are significant drivers of recruitment into these groups. Reflecting the lack of infrastructure, quality education, and socioeconomic opportunities in the region—many youths find themselves vulnerable to radicalization, with extremist groups taking advantage of this socio-economic vacuum.
Project PLAY+
In late 2022, our collective aspiration for peace inspired us to create Project PLAY+ (Peace Leadership Academy for the Youth). Project PLAY+ was started in response to the urgent need for effective peace education methods in conflict affected areas and to help prevent and transform violent extremism, with the understanding that young individuals are essential not only as future leaders but also in current peacebuilding efforts. The project aims to dismantle ingrained stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination through the use of games’ inherent appeal and educational benefits, resulting in a more inclusive, empathetic, and harmonious society.
The complex social and political landscape of Mindanao makes it an ideal setting for Project PLAY+, which seeks to address the underlying factors of violence and conflict with innovative educational approaches. Project PLAY’s activities are thoughtfully designed to resonate with the youths’ realities and aspirations, ensuring that peace education extends beyond traditional classrooms to become a tangible, hands-on encounter. Traditional ICT-based learning wouldn’t work here, so we turned to something simpler: games. We wanted to address the unique challenges of Peace Education in Mindanao, especially in a region where infrastructure and access to digital tools are often limited.
In the simplicity of play, we found a way to break down the overwhelming complexity of peacebuilding into something tangible. Leveraging games as a tool for fostering critical thinking, empathy, and conflict sensitivity. The program seeks to improve the abilities of young leaders, particularly those in the Sangguniang Kabataan (Political Representation of Youth in the Philippines), in crafting and executing local youth development plans that promote peace and address the root causes of violence and conflicts. Furthermore, it aims to enhance these young leaders’ mediation and negotiation skills preparing them for their participation in democratic processes.
Moreover, Project PLAY consists of components that address transitional justice and healing, recognizing the need for understanding and reconciling with the past to achieve lasting peace. This feature of the program plays a vital role in fostering a deeper understanding of history and supporting the healing process of intergenerational trauma, thus laying a solid foundation for peace not just in Lanao del Norte but in Mindanao as a whole. Through these activities, we began to reach those who have carried the heaviest burdens—many of whom have grown up knowing more about conflict than peace.
To date, Project PLAY+ has reached over 1,000 youth across the region, evolving into a transformative platform for healing and learning. Through its innovative approach, it goes beyond just a collection of games but a critical tool for teaching peacebuilding in conflict-affected communities.
A collaborative study with the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (MSU-IIT) demonstrated significant outcomes: 85% of participants showed enhanced understanding of complex peacebuilding concepts such as conflict resolution, empathy, and non-violent communication. Additionally, 80% of participants reported improved collaboration and leadership skills, while another 80% noted the development of mediation and negotiation capabilities. These metrics underscore the tangible impact Project PLAY has in fostering essential transversal skills among youth, equipping them to become more active and compassionate peace advocates within their communities.
Our impact goes beyond simply equipping youth leaders with conflict-sensitive approaches; but is rooted in the understanding that facilitating personal growth is crucial in influencing and transforming the socio-political landscape of conflict-affected communities.
The program specifically targets the most vulnerable sectors—youth leaders, out of school youth, and students from the Bangsamoro and Indigenous People. Through play, we give the youth a space to co-create an enabling future for all—one where peace is possible.
Project PLAY+ is more than just games—it’s a lifeline. It’s about nurturing skills that don’t often come easily in a world of division: enabling them in ways that could help heal the fractures they’ve inherited. Project PLAY illustrates how initiatives led by young people can impact peacebuilding, highlighting the significance of a holistic approach. Project PLAY is both a symbol of hope and a model.
In play, we hope to sow the seeds of something larger. Something lasting. Peace, after all, isn’t just a concept—it’s in the small, human connections we make, and those moments, though fleeting, might be enough to set our future leaders in a new path. Even if the road ahead is long, we believe this is where healing begins.
TAYO21 National Awardee
I’m reminded of our humble beginnings in MYCOP—just a handful of passionate young volunteers with limited resources but an abundance of dreams. Today, we have grown into a movement, inspiring young people across the country.
With over 750+ youth-led projects all over the Philippines, MYCOP, with its flagship project PLAY+ was chosen among one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the Philippines (TAYO21). This recognition is not just an award; it is a testament to what we, as young peacebuilders, can achieve when we come together. It affirmed our belief in a youth-led approach to peace education, and it showed the youth of Mindanao that our voices and our stories have the power to create positive change—not just in Mindanao but across the nation.
When we started this project, we were only five active members, trying to find our way through the challenges brought on by the pandemic. We had limited resources and a vision that sometimes felt more like a distant dream. Yet, with persistence and the unwavering belief that our work could make a difference, we grew and evolved. Achieving this honor has shown us that even small beginnings can lead to something transformative.
This journey has been both humbling and empowering, and it serves as a reminder to continue paving the way for other young peacebuilders who want to make an impact in their communities.
However, I believe beyond the award itself, our real achievements are the lives touched and the seeds of peace we have planted. Our success is found in the quiet moments of connection, in the softening of a once-hardened heart, in the belief that change—though slow and painful, can happen. The youth of Mindanao are living proof of this. Their voices may be small, but they are powerful. It’s through their courage, their kindness, and their willingness to reach across the divides that we see glimpses of the future we all long for.
As I reflect on my own journey, from an alumni of MSU-IIT, past president of MYCOP, and now a board of director of the organization, I am filled with a bittersweet sense of purpose. There is so much work left to do, and the road ahead is not going to be easy. But these small victories—those moments of shared understanding and humanity, are enough to keep us going.
We know the path to peace is not easy, but it’s a path worth walking. Our hope lies in the hands of our youth, and while the scars of the past will never fully fade, I believe that with each step forward, we are inching closer to a future where peace is not just a distant dream, but a lived reality.
References
- McKenna, Thomas M. Muslim Rulers and Rebels: Everyday Politics and Armed Separatism in the Southern Philippines. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft0199n64c/
- International Organization for Migration (IOM). Land Disputes in Conflict-Affected Areas of Mindanao. 2011. https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/migrated_files/What-We-Do/docs/Land-Disputes-in-Conflict-Affected-Areas-of-Mindanao.pdf.
- Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center. “Mindanao Conflict: In Search of Peace and Human Rights.” Focus Asia-Pacific, December 2008. https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2008/12/mindanao-conflict-in-search-of-peace-and-human-rights.html.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “Faces of Marawi.” UNHCR Philippines, May 2019. https://www.unhcr.org/ph/15786-may-e-newsletter-faces-of-marawi.html.
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 2023 First Semester Official Poverty Statistics Report. 2023. https://www.psa.gov.ph/system/files/phdsd/2023%201st%20Sem%20Official%20Poverty%20Statistics%20Report.pdf
- The Asia Foundation. Understanding Violent Extremism Messaging and Recruitment on Social Media in the Philippines. 2018. https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Understanding-Violent-Extremism-Messaging-and-Recruitment-on-Social-Media-in-the-Philippines.pdf.
