Legitimacy, Loyalty and Dynamics of Civilian Support: A Study on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Philippines

Sukanya Podder

doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/21567689.2012.725663

Legitimacy, Loyalty and Dynamics of Civilian Support: A Study on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Philippines

Sukanya Podder

Defence Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This paper contributes to the academic literature on rebel group transitions, using the case of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao, Philippines to analyze the use of religion and ideology as legitimizing strategies by rebel groups for enhancing civilian support. Drawing on empirical field research conducted with Maranao and Maguindanao communities during 2008–2010, the findings suggest that religion and ideology as legitimization strategies are of diminishing significance in the Moro conflict. This result is due to the following factors. First, due to shifts in the MILF's base structures, civilian proximity to MILF camps that defined intensity and overtness of support has waned; second, growing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) presence on the ground and infiltration of its security agents into communities has enhanced civilian fears about overt loyalty towards MILF. Finally, conflict related impacts of displacement have also negatively influenced levels of civilian support for the Bangsamoro struggle.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	495
Number of pages	512
Journal	Politics, Religion and Ideology
Volume	13
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/21567689.2012.725663
Publication status	Published - 2012

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title = "Legitimacy, Loyalty and Dynamics of Civilian Support: A Study on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Philippines",

abstract = "This paper contributes to the academic literature on rebel group transitions, using the case of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao, Philippines to analyze the use of religion and ideology as legitimizing strategies by rebel groups for enhancing civilian support. Drawing on empirical field research conducted with Maranao and Maguindanao communities during 2008–2010, the findings suggest that religion and ideology as legitimization strategies are of diminishing significance in the Moro conflict. This result is due to the following factors. First, due to shifts in the MILF's base structures, civilian proximity to MILF camps that defined intensity and overtness of support has waned; second, growing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) presence on the ground and infiltration of its security agents into communities has enhanced civilian fears about overt loyalty towards MILF. Finally, conflict related impacts of displacement have also negatively influenced levels of civilian support for the Bangsamoro struggle.",

author = "Sukanya Podder",

year = "2012",

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language = "English",

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pages = "495",

journal = "Politics, Religion and Ideology",

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T1 - Legitimacy, Loyalty and Dynamics of Civilian Support: A Study on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Philippines

AU - Podder, Sukanya

PY - 2012

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AB - This paper contributes to the academic literature on rebel group transitions, using the case of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao, Philippines to analyze the use of religion and ideology as legitimizing strategies by rebel groups for enhancing civilian support. Drawing on empirical field research conducted with Maranao and Maguindanao communities during 2008–2010, the findings suggest that religion and ideology as legitimization strategies are of diminishing significance in the Moro conflict. This result is due to the following factors. First, due to shifts in the MILF's base structures, civilian proximity to MILF camps that defined intensity and overtness of support has waned; second, growing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) presence on the ground and infiltration of its security agents into communities has enhanced civilian fears about overt loyalty towards MILF. Finally, conflict related impacts of displacement have also negatively influenced levels of civilian support for the Bangsamoro struggle.

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DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/21567689.2012.725663

M3 - Article

SN - 2156-7689

VL - 13

SP - 495

JO - Politics, Religion and Ideology

JF - Politics, Religion and Ideology

IS - 4

ER -

Legitimacy, Loyalty and Dynamics of Civilian Support: A Study on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Philippines

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