The Politics of Peace and the Mindanao Problem: A Review

Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc’s book, "The Politics of Peace and the Mindanao Problem," is a philosophical and socio-political critique that challenges the traditional "Manila-centric" understanding of the conflict in Southern Philippines. The book was published in 2025 under Elzystyle Publishing in Cotabato City. 

Rather than viewing the "Mindanao Problem" as a simple religious or ethnic clash, Maboloc reframes it as a deep-seated issue of structural injustice. He travelled to Zamboanga City, Cotabato City, Lake Sebu, and Marawi City to conduct his study, talking to BARMM officials, Peace negotiators and advocates, local leaders and IPs, including academics and students. The research was funded by the Ateneo de Davao University.

​Maboloc utilizes the theories of political philosopher Iris Marion Young, specifically her concepts of the "Politics of Difference" and the "Social Connection Model of Responsibility." He argues that peace cannot be achieved through mere ceasefire agreements; it requires addressing the underlying structures that marginalize the Bangsamoro and the Lumad.

​Maboloc argues that standard liberal democratic approaches often fail in Mindanao because they treat everyone the same, ignoring the unique historical grievances and identities of the Moro people. He advocates for a system that recognizes "difference" as a basis for justice. Maboloc is critical of Liberalism, often citing it for the institutional failures in the Philippines.

​The book highlights how poverty and violence in Mindanao are products of institutional "cycles of disadvantage." This includes the historical "Othering" of Muslims and Indigenous peoples by the Philippine state. For Maboloc, the prejudice against Muslim Filipinos has undermined their welfare and denied them of a decent life, citing that the Bangsamoro is the poorest region in the country.

He examines how local "political dynasties" and "bosses" in Mindanao sometimes perpetuate conflict to maintain their grip on power, creating a "predatory" environment that hinders genuine peace. For Maboloc, the elite nature of politics in the Bangsamoro has stifled its economic progress as local families control the economy of the region.

​The book situates the rise of Mindanaoan leaders (specifically during the Duterte era) as a radical attempt to shift the national consciousness toward the "periphery." Maboloc explores whether this political shift actually addressed the root causes of the conflict or simply reshuffled the power players.

​Maboloc suggests that for Mindanao to achieve lasting peace, there must be a "radicalization" of democracy—one that empowers the grassroots and dismantles the shadow economies that fund violence. This requires, according to him, addressing the structural issues. This means going beyond resource redistribution framework. The real threat to peace, he argues, is predatory politics.

​In Maboloc’s view, the "Problem" is not the people of Mindanao, but the structural relationship between the center (Imperial Manila) and the periphery (Mindanao). He argues that the state has historically acted as a colonial power, extracting resources while neglecting the human rights and self-determination of the locals. For him, it is a question of a power dynamics that have since marginalized Muslims and Lumads.