Civil Society Responses to Extremism in the Philippine Bangsamoro

Leanne M. Kelly is a researcher on the Australian Research Council Linkage project that underpins this book. She also holds a Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship on evaluation of community programming for preventing violent extremism. She has 20 years’ experience working in and with development-humanitarian NGOs across five continents, with a focus on research and evaluation. Her work centers on crises including conflict, violence, extremism, and disasters. Primitivo III Ragandang is Associate Professor and Director for Research Dissemination at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. His research focuses on peace, memory, and youth agency in conflict-affected societies. His book Peacebuilding and Memory in the Philippines: Transgenerational Resilience (2025) critically examines community resilience within peace and conflict studies.Anthony Ware is Associate Professor in International and Community Development at Deakin University. He researches humanitarian and development approaches in conflict-affected settings, focusing on Myanmar, the Rohingya conflict, and everyday peace. He has worked extensively with international partners on conflict-sensitive, community-led development and is the lead on the Australian Research Council Linkage project that underpins this book.Yasmira Moner is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. She is the current Gender and Development Focal Person of the University, which focuses on mainstreaming gender-responsive governance and peace processes through research, peace education, and stakeholder engagement.

“A refreshing take on peace studies and conflict—induced by violence, hate, and extremism—that are grounded on: (1) theoretical-religious-praxes insights important for academic exploration and practitioners’ application, as well as (2) a decolonial call for “we perspectives” based on Mindanao thought and experiences detailing context-bounded and culturally-embedded issues and solutions contributed and participated by key CSOs and community development partners.” -- Dr Nassef Manabilang Adiong, Director, Policy Research and Legal Services, BARMM Bangsamoro Transition Authority, Cotabato City, Mindanao “The role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in combating violent extremism is essential yet largely overlooked, despite the significant impact of violent extremism on communities. In this volume, CSOs amplify the voices of their communities, highlighting not only their experiences as victims but also their valuable contributions as active sources of solutions to the challenges posed by violent extremism.”Atty. Benedicto R. Bacani, Executive Director, Institute for Autonomy and Governance, Cotabato City, Mindanao

• 1. Introduction: Contexts and Strategies for Addressing Violent and Hateful Extremism in Mindanao2. Understanding Radicalism through the Lens of Historical Grievances: Civil Society, Secularism, and the Struggle for Peace in Bangsamoro3. (Re-)Politicizing Violence in Lanao: Linking Political Structure and Local Peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro4. Women and security in addressing violent and hateful extremism in the Bangsamoro5. Youth narratives and agency in post-conflict Marawi6. Young Women Count: A socio-economic approach to building peace 7. Effects of the 2017 Marawi Siege: Narratives from Meranaw Women in Lanao del Sur, Mindanao8. Strengthening Local Responses to Violent and Hateful Extremism in the Bangsamoro: Lessons from Significance Quest Theory9. Beyond arms: Localized reintegration of former rebel combatants involved in violent and hateful extremism10. A Restorative Justice Approach to Violent and Hateful Extremism in BARMM11. Civil Society, Extremism, and the Path Forward