Philippines

The Philippines

Population97,703,638

CapitalManila

Made up of more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines have a long history of subnational conflict and communal violence, with armed groups including Muslim separatists, communists, clan militias and criminal groups. In Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) four-decade fight for self-determination was settled with the Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro (FAB) between the MILF and Government of the Philippines in October 2012, laying the grounds for peace and a new political entity. For over 40 years, the government has also faced a protracted guerrilla campaigns by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) – the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – and other splinter groups. Threats to the country’s internal security also include growing violence related to clan wars. Since coming to power in 2010, President Benigno Aquino III and his administration have sought to progress a two track national peace agenda; track one, a formal political settlement of all armed conflicts through peace talks and; track two, the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), meaning peaceful and prosperous communities, which aims to address on the ground causes for armed conflict.