SOUTHEAST ASIA

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines became a GCERF partner country in 2018. For years, the Philippines have struggled with violent extremist and separatist groups in the south of the country. A long-running movement for independence led to the formation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following peace talks and negotiations between the central government and separatist groups. While this is a step forward for peace, violent extremist groups, including local groups inspired by ISIS, continue to operate and recruit members.

Background & Context

Understanding Violent
Extremism in The Philippines

For decades, the southern Philippines—particularly the island of Mindanao—has faced persistent challenges linked to armed separatist movements and violent extremist (VE) groups. Long-running conflict involving Moro insurgent organizations led to major peace negotiations with the national government, culminating in the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as part of a broader political settlement aimed at addressing historical grievances through greater autonomy and governance reforms. While the peace process has contributed to improved stability in some areas, VE groups—including factions inspired by ISIS —continue to operate in certain parts of the south, engaging in recruitment, criminal activity, and sporadic violence. In parallel, prevention efforts have increasingly focused on community resilience and local governance, including initiatives under the National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAP P/CVE-Philippines). A multi-year programme supporting civil society engagement in the implementation of this strategy, with an investment of around USD 5.3 million, concluded in 2025.

GCERF'S UNIQUE INVESTMENT MODEL

Country
Support Mechanism

GCERF pioneers a unique model of investment designed to promote a whole-of-society approach and ensure the sustainability of our programmes. Under this model, in each partner country, we support national governments in establishing a steering committee called the Country Support Mechanism (CSM).

In the Philippines, the CSM is chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and brings together relevant government agencies, civil society organisations, and donor representatives to provide strategic direction for the programmes, ensure results, and progressively inherit ownership of funding community-level efforts to prevent violent extremism.

Key Drivers of Violent Extremism

Identity-based conflict and political rivalry

In parts of the Philippines, violent extremism is often rooted in long-standing identity-based tensions involving ethnic, religious, and clan dynamics. Political rivalries also translate at the local level, which can deepen divisions and create openings for armed groups to mobilise support or exploit grievances.

Youth marginalisation and radical influences

A significant driver of vulnerability to violent extremism is the marginalization of young people. Limited access to quality education, employment opportunities, and civic participation can create a sense of frustration and lack of belonging.

Governance gaps and fragile institutions

Weak governance structures and uneven delivery of basic services remain key factors contributing to instability. In some areas, limited state presence, corruption, and inconsistent rule of law reduce public trust in institutions and create environments where non-state armed actors can exert influence.

Results at a Glance

Key Results

Total amount invested (USD)

$ 0 M

Grants

0

Civil society organisations

0

Marawi IDPs and community members were engaged in legal awareness, dispute resolution, and dialogues to strengthen their access to justice, support claims processes, and promote peaceful conflict resolution at the community level

0 +

Out of school youth, returnees, indigenous people, moro people, christians engaged through community dialogues and conversations to seek just and acceptable solutions for peaceful resolution

0 +

Young people, small and medium enterprises, madrasah based organisations equipped with vocational skills and entrepreneurship support to strengthen their economic resilience against VE

0 +

Community members, religious leaders, teachers, government authorities trained in conflict resolution peacebuilding and local governance to address grievances before VE groups can exploit them

0 +

Investment & grant figures updated May 2026 · Programme results updated December 2025

Our Approach

Investment Strategy
in The Philippines

Support community-based rehabilitation for returnees and for the victims of VE groups and their families, including access to mental health support services

Increase access to economic opportunities for people from vulnerable or marginalised communities

Enhance access to credible and transparent transitional justice mechanisms

Our IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Active Grants
in The Philippines

Current Grants 4 Active

01 Mahintana Foundation

▼

Grant Overview

Amount

USD 736,000

Duration

Feb 2026 – Jun 2028

Implementing Partners

Principal Recipient

Mahintana Foundation, Inc (MFI)

Sub-Recipients

Kasilak Development Foundation Inc. (KASILAK)

OND Hesed Foundation Inc (OND)

Maguindanaon Development Foundation Inc (MDFI)

Tribal Leaders Development Foundation Inc. (TLDFI)

Programme Objectives

1

Strengthen community governance, cohesion, trust, and protection mechanisms to reduce violent extremism (VE) vulnerability in isolated and underserved communities.

2

Improve returnees, victims, and at-risk youth social reintegration and economic resilience, making it difficult for VE groups to exploit them.

3

Increase community participation in peacebuilding, education, and violent extremism prevention through the roles of women and girls in local, religious, Indigenous, youth-, and child-led groups.

Areas of Implementation

Banga and Tupi, South Cotabato Kiamba, Sarangani and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani Tboli, South Cotabato Polomolok, South Cotabato for Mahintana Polomolok, South Cotabato

02 Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy

▼

Grant Overview

Amount

USD 319,023

Duration

Jan 2024 – Jun 2026

Implementing Partners

Principal Recipient

Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, Inc. (PCID)

Sub-Recipients

Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG)

Programme Objectives

1

Local Knowledge Partner.

2

Conduct mapping exercises and deliver capacity building on data management.

3

Implement third-party monitoring activities, including evaluations.

4

Generate evidence-based research to inform policy development and improve programmatic practice.

Areas of Implementation

Manila Mindanao

03 Teach Peace Build Peace Movement

▼

Grant Overview

Amount

USD 936,000

Duration

Feb 2026 – Jun 2028

Implementing Partners

Principal Recipient

Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM)

Sub-Recipients

Alliance of Magnanimous Young Leaders (AMYL)

League of Moro Women Organization, Inc. (LMWOI)

Guinaopan Youth Action Organization (GYAO)

Programme Objectives

1

Adopt coordinated, gender-responsive, trauma-informed reintegration and peace education systems to improve governance support, trust in justice and reconciliation, and access to sustainable reintegration pathways.

2

Strengthen emotional resilience, identity, and livelihood and coping capacities of returnees, youth, women, and families through safe learning environments, family support, and psychosocial services, reducing vulnerability to stress, conflict, and harmful influence.

3

Empower youth, women, and returnees through formal and non-formal peace education and creative and digital peace pathways that foster purpose, belonging, and recognition, enabling them to promote peace, counter recruitment narratives, and strengthen community resilience.

Areas of Implementation

Lanao del Sur (Balindong and Binidayan municipalities) Maguindanao del Sur (Datu Anggal Midtimbang) Datu Hoffer Ampatuan Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mamasapano Talayan Shariff Aguak Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipalities Maguindanao del Norte (Sultan Kudarat – Camp Darapanan, Barira – Camp Abubakar) Marawi City

04 Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services

▼

Grant Overview

Amount

USD 646,000

Duration

Apr 2026 – Jun 2028

Implementing Partners

Principal Recipient

Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS), Inc

Sub-Recipients

Ateneo de Davao University – Madaris Volunteer Program

Magungaya Mindanao Incorporated (MMI)

Programme Objectives

1

Strengthen responsive, credible, and inclusive local governance systems by institutionalizing Early Warning Early Response (EWER) mechanisms and gender-inclusive civil and land dispute resolution processes for conflict-affected communities.

2

Expand access to meaningful livelihood and digital economy opportunities for vulnerable women, youth, and returnees to support sustained economic stability.

3

Strengthen conflict-affected communities’ resilience to extremist narratives by promoting critical engagement with online content and amplifying positive alternatives.

Areas of Implementation

North Cotabato: Municipality of Kadayangan Municipality of Pahamuddin Sulu (Municipality of Patikul) Maguindanao del Sur (Municipality of South Upi)

Impact in Action

Story of Change

Featured Story

Story of Change · The Philippines

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