Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

7-2025

Abstract

This paper critically examines the nature and dynamics of European Union (EU) engagement in Mindanao. The southern Philippines is historically home to Muslims, with a special region that is the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), formerly known as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, where Muslims compose the majority of the population. Muslim Mindanao gained greater autonomy in 2019 after decades of violent conflict and the persistence of weak democratic institutions. Since the 1970s, Muslim secessionist movements have clashed against government troops for independence. These have contributed to poor human development indicators in Mindanao. The EU, previously the European Community, has involved itself with various projects in Mindanao since the 1970s. However, it may be argued that the nature of its engagement has shifted depending on the context of the regional bloc’s foreign policy priorities. For example, when the European organization was focused on reducing poverty in marginalized areas, it implemented small-scale assistance projects in Mindanao. When European states had agreed to follow the Millennium Development Goals in the early 2000s, EU engagement in the Philippine territory expanded to include health sector support, and the development of a Peace Process to reconcile Muslim secessionists and the Philippine government. At present, EU activities in the Mindanao region appear to be guided by the imperatives of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and Global Gateway project, with projects being focused on development as well as capacity and institution building. Despite the EU’s lengthy engagement in Mindanao, there is little academic literature about it. Hence, this paper hopes to build upon that space. Applying a Discourse-Historical Approach, this paper argues that the EU institutions’ discourse in Mindanao has been shaped by the context in which it is produced, even as it endeavors to change the realities on the ground. Specifically, the researchers were able to trace evolving thematic narratives of Mindanao, moving through development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian relief along the frames of conflict and aid. The nature of EU support, whether direct or funneled through other development partners, is informed by institutional positions on political, social, and economic issues.

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