resonate121, these are evident in media (mis)representation, and the recent congressional
hearing on the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao 122. Current laws and policies are still
criticized for justifying historical injustices, and maintaining socio-cultural and political divides in
Mindanao and its communities 123.
The 1970s were also a significant period in Marawi city and its people. Ironically, the so-called
“Marawi Uprising” of 1972 and other alleged rebellions in Mindanao culminated the declaration
of Martial Law in the country124. This allowed the Marcos dictatorship to prosper for more than
a decade. The 3-day armed conflict in 1972, and the events in 1976 – such as the intensification
of armed conflict between various groups125 and the Philippine government, the earthquake
and Tsunami that hit Mindanao region – created thousands of internal displacement and
migration of Maranaos to neighboring regions in Luzon and Visayas 126. A migration research by
Lacar (1989)127 states that in 1984 alone there were around 30,000 – 35,000 Maranao Muslim
migrants in Manila, and that 80 percent of his respondents migrated and settled in Manila
around 1972 and 1976. The research also uncovers patterns of assimilation by Maranao
migrant parents and children in the areas where they moved. For example, in language; code
switching from Tagalog to Maranao were practiced depending on who and where the family
were at. In addition, the pull of cheap labor from oil-rich Gulf countries and the establishment
of labor export program and policies in 1970s 128 have provided a gateway for Maranaos to
escape poverty and work abroad, while supporting their families back home – just like other
Filipinos.
These events have generated tremendous effects on the community such as violence and
trauma. But it also fostered resilience and closeness within Maranao kinship. It can be argued
that the displacement, migration, and assimilation of Maranao families in the twentieth century
is one of the biggest factor in making Marawi city as the central-hub for commerce around
ARMM. Migrant families brought income from various regions and countries to re-build and reconstruct their homes. It also brought humiliation on the word ‘bakwit’, and created change to
Maranaos’ ideology, social position, traditional attitudes, customary law, and psychology129.
The Maranaos’ history of migration, dignity, and courage are significant to the characteristics of
the IDPs today. Their distinct migration patterns and repeated displacement have increased
their social networks of relationship130; which is a considerable factor to a majority of IDPs
classified as home-based131. The ability of interviewees to switch from Tagalog, Bisaya,
Maranao, and even Arabic languages were also evidence of the city’s rich cultural heritage and
knowledge. Lastly, the assertion of not calling them ‘bakwits’, but rather IDPs, is a testimony of
their dignity and resilience as Maranaos.
120
See: The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity 2015; Perception Institute 2017. “Also known as implicit social cognition,
implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases,
which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness or intentional
control. Residing deep in the subconscious, these biases are different from known biases that individuals may choose to conceal for the
purposes of social and/or political correctness. Rather, implicit biases are not accessible through introspection.”
121
See: Hutchcroft, Paul 2016. Mindanao: The Long Journey to Peace and Prosperity; Ferrer, 2011; and Vellema, et al. 2011
122
See: Cayabyab 2017 Online news report
123
See: Hutchcroft, Paul 2016. Mindanao: The Long Journey to Peace and Prosperity; Ferrer, 2011; and Vellema, et al. 2011
124
Proclamation No. 2045 and Proclamation No. 2045-A
125
the Abu Sayaf, CPP-NPA, MNLF, and MILF.
126
See: University of Central Arkansas - Political Science, 2017 “President Marcos declared martial law on the Sulu, Palawan, and Mindanao
islands on September 23, 1972. Some 2,000 individuals, mostly Muslims, were killed during the crisis. Some 100,000 individuals were displaced
during the crisis.”
127
“While the ‘search for greener pastures,’ may be considered the primary factor in Maranao Muslim migration, it is equally true that many
were driven out of Lanao by the precarious peace and order situation, prevailing in the province between 1972 and 1976, the period during
which more than 80 percent of the respondent soft this study migrated. This, again, does not make the Maranao migrants distinct from other
migrants, since it is a documented phenomenon that uncongenial social environments and oppressive laws produce currents and streams of
migration. In cities such as Legaspi, Cebú, Manila, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Ormoc, Tacloban, Cagayan.” (Lacar and Lacar 1989, p. 5)
128
Approved in 1974, the Labour Code of the Philippines established a governmental framework for overseas employment
129
See: THE MARATABAT OF THE MARANAW
Author(s): MAMITUA SABER, MAUYAG M. TAMANO and CHARLES K. WARRINER Source:
Philippine Sociological Review, Vol. 8, No. 1/2 (January-April, 1960), pp. 10-15. The article examines what and how Maratabat were used within
the context of Maranaos.
130
131
See: social capital
See: Appendix A. The number of home-based IDPs are higher than the IDPs living in ECs
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