Philippines

Where We Work

Philippines

Context

The Philippines is currently ranked 18 on the Global Terrorism Index of 2023. Since June 30, 2022, a new government has assumed office.

In late 2021, President Duterte signed a law extending the transition period of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until 2025, postponing the first regional parliamentary elections. This has been seen as a positive move by grantees, given the slow rate of promised change in the region. A longer transition is seen as more likely to herald more inclusive representation.

In December 2022, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) P/CVE Programme Monitoring Office sought the support of GCERF and grantees for the planned repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of more than 200 Filipinos Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) who are still in camps in Syria. Discussions are ongoing.

STORIES FROM THE GROUND

Teaching peace to children

Teaching peace to children is important because they are the future generation. If their foundation is rooted in peace it will surely flourish and they will be agents of peace in the long run. On the contrary, if at a young age they learn negative ideologies, they’ll be the cause of conflict.

We cannot give what we don’t have. As peace education leaders we need to cultivate our inner peace first to be more effective and to create more impact in our communities as we venture into bringing and building a culture of peace.

-Sittie Asia Mai, Youth Leader, Teacher and Entrepreneur

Pathways to Change

GCERF has updated its investment strategy for the Philippines.

Currently, the focus areas include developing inclusive processes with governance actors, prioritisation of transitional justice, providing access to meaningful livelihoods, and increased integration and quality of education in madaris.

Social Cohesion

Community Agency

Sense of Purpose

Collaboration

Following the August 2018 approval by the GCERF Governing Board of the Philippines as a GCERF partner country, the GCERF Secretariat commissioned a Country Needs Assessment (CNA) and an Enabling Environment Assessment (EEA) to inform the GCERF Country Strategy for Investment in the Philippines. The Secretariat travelled to Manila in December 2018 for discussions with key stakeholders in preparation for engagement and to support the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in setting up the Philippines Country Support Mechanism (CSM), establishing relations with key stakeholders including Japan, Australia, the United Nations, and academic institutions.