Part 2/14:

The Roots of Conflict: History and Grievances

The roots of unrest in Mindanao extend back centuries. The Moro populations—indigenous Muslim communities—have historically resisted Spanish colonization and later integration into the Philippine state. During Spanish rule, the Moro people maintained their Islamic faith and cultural identity, often in opposition to predominantly Catholic colonizers. After Spain's departure in 1898, these territories, particularly Mindanao, Sulu, and surrounding islands, remained semi-autonomous and largely outside direct control of Manila.