Mindanao

Approximately 15 million people live in Mindanao, which is the second largest island. Approximately 70% are Christians, 25% Moslem and 5% belong to various other religions.

Although Mindanao's early history remains invalidated and to an extent cloaked in mystery, historical entries relate very close ties among East Asian countries. Historians claim that when Islam came to Mindanao in the 14th century, it welded small tribal units into sultanates.

Jolo, located in the southern tip of Mindanao, became the center of an extensive trading network from Java in the west to China in the north, and the Mindanao sultanates were linked politically to Muslim states in Borneo. These political and economic relations were believed to have continued even long after the arrival of Spaniards in the Philippines in the 16th century.

Mindanao covers one third of the country's total land area and is the center for agriculture and agri-based industries, consisting of fertile agricultural lands, fisheries, huge mineral deposits and extensive forests.

Mindanao is a unique melting pot that showcases manifold traditions, customs and arts contributing to the island's dominantly ethnic image.

Mindanao consists of picturesque plains and highland lakes of South Cotabato, fertile plantations plateaus and trekking tracks of Bukidnon; rugged mountain ranges, mangrove clusters and unexplored caves of Surigao. Rare flora and fauna can be found plentiful. Island and mountain resorts of Davao; unsullied beaches and fresh seafood catches of Jolo; hot spring and chilly waterfalls of Iligan; and the colonial forts of Zamboanga makes this area a fascinating spot one likes to explore.

Mount Apo, with 2,956 meters near Davao, is the highest mountain and Mount Ragang, with 2,815 meters in province Lanao del Sur, is the highest active volcano in the Philippines. The deepest sea bed with 10,860 meters (world second deepest) is located northeast of Mindanao.

Davao

Davao is the most progressive city and center of economic activity in Mindanao. Several places of interest can be visited:

The Philippine Eagle Nature Center is nestled at the lowest foot of Mount Apo in the Malagos district. This center provides temporary shelter to eagles in captivity and numerous birds, animals and tropical plants.

The Yuhico Orchid Farm shows native and hybrid orchids on an 11 hectare farm located at the hills of Malagos District.

A sprawling garden of chapels, retreat houses and picnic huts atop Manila hill is a popular destination of the regions Christian religious sector called the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

The biggest Buddhist temple in Mindanao, Lon Buddhist Temple, is an interesting place to visit because of it's well-kept garden of candle trees, bamboo and lily ponds.

At the Madrazo Fruit Center many tropical fruits, among the delicious but smelly exotic Durian can be purchased.

Etnika Dabaw Weaving Center is located along the beachfront property of the insular century Hotel Davao in Lanang. This weaving center is a showcase of typical Mandaya tribe lifestyle...

Aldevinco Shopping Center has numerous boutiques offering an array of ethnic souvenir items, antique artifacts and batik clothing materials.

Samal Island is located just a few minute outrigger ride from Insular Century Hotel in Lanang. Lined with about 900 meters of sandy shoreline, Samal is being developed as a premier tourist destination.

Talicud Island, in Davao del Norte offers some of the country's excellent dive spots, swimming and snorkeling areas.

Gap Farming Resort is a 10 hectare orchard resort located at Ma-a district. Gap farming produces tropical fruits like Pamelos, Rambutan, sweet Tamarind, Oranges and other citrus varieties.

Cagayan De Oro

Cagayan, based at bay in north-east Mindanao, is the service hub of the region as well as the transshipment point for agricultural and industrial output like pineapples and cement from nearby provinces.

The Catanico falls, concealed by large boulders, is worth a visit for it's cascading falls and natural pool.

Macahambus Cave consists of a number of underground caves and a 130 foot circular gorge. It is advised to take a tour guide.

At the Xavier University Folk Museum an array of artifacts and other important items are exhibited showing the history and culture of the Bukidnon and Maranao peoples.

Bukidnon

The rugged plateaus, extensive forest and swelling waterways are a fascinating place for the more adventurous explorers. One can visit the Bukidnon Sugar Central, which is the only sugar mill in Northern Mindanao.

Del Monte Philippines Plantation is located on the fertile plateaus of Manalo Fortich, Libonan and Sumilao. Del Monte Philippines is considered to be the most extensive pineapple plantation in East Asia. It covers approximately 26,000 hectares of land and is an important employer for the locals.

At the foot of Kalatungan Mountain in Pigtauran, Pagantungan town the Napalit Lake can be found.It is a 36-hectare lake unique for it's 24 man-made floating islets of varying sizes.

Located along Sayre Highway, the Impalutao Reforestation Project is offering a beautiful scenery of lush vegetation and waterways.

Iligan

The steel and cement industry is important to this area.

The Tinago Falls are well known for its cool water collected by natural rock formations below the falls.

Camiguin

This is the island of dormant volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, lakes, sandy beaches and lush lanzones (citrus fruit) farms.

Zamboanga

Strategically located on the western part of Mindanao, Zamboanga is Mindanao's gateway to air and sea routes...

Fort Pilar was built in 1635 to repel invasion of pirates, Today it is a reminder of a distant colonial past.

Pasonanca Park is a lush garden developed decades ago, with age-old tree lends and a large variety of species.

Mindanao Conflict

The Mindanao Conflict - reasons, developments and present situation
Since former president Marcos in 1972 declared martial law, there is a continuous war ongoing in this southern part of the Philippine archipelago. It is not a war between religions, between half moon and the holy cross as often claimed. It is more a war covering economic and political aspects than religions. The fight of the militant representatives of the Muslim minority, organized in the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) is directed primarily against the political and cultural suppression and economic plunder of Mindanao by the government in Manila.

To understand the tensions of the presence a historical review is necessary: Long before Magellan and Legazpi arrived in the archipelago to claim in the name of Spain territorial rights, the Islam already manifested itself. Muslim traders already came mid of the 12th century via Malakka and Brunei to the Philippines. Around 1380 the first Islamic missionary Karim al Makdum came to the Sulu islands to teach of prophet Mohammad. A few decades later already some organized Sultanates existed. A further development and spreading of the Islamic religon came around 1475 under Sharif Mohammed Kabungsuwan from Johore. However the Spanish Conquistadors prevented further Islamization in the 16th century. Within shortest time they conquered the middle and northern islands of the archipelago and subjected the Muslim Sultanate of Rajah Suayman to Maynilad. In the South however the fanatic war of the Spaniards against the Moros failed. The history of the following centuries was marked by Moslem attacks and counter strikes of the Christians. Despite their strength in terms of soldiers and weapons they never succeeded in the south except for a few areas like e.g. Fort Pilar in Zambanga.

The Americans, who took over from the Spanish, were a bit more successful. A mixture of imperialistic power politics and tactic diplomacy, they achieved within a decade, what the Spanish tried without success in centuries: to colonize the southern archipelago.

The reason for the present tensions lies primarily in the resettlement from north to south, supported by the government in Manila. A process started during the American colonial time and re-activated short after the second world war. Christian Filipinos moved from the densely populated islands of the Visayas to the relative undeveloped Mindanao and settled down in areas traditionally populated by Moslems.

Moslems suddenly only accounted to a quarter of the population in their own country and saw themselves pushed demographically and economically to the edge. A further acceleration of the conflict came when multinational corporations established agricultural businesses. Large, high-technology plantations. Wherever small farmers (Moslems as well as Christians) were standing in the way of multinationals interests, they were forced to give way, primarily with jurisdictional methods as they could not proof their right of ownership with documentation's; but very often also with brutal force.

The daily conflicts in these areas have to be seen under these circumstances. There were times, where approximately 50% of the national forces were stationed. Experts claim that many underground fighters, standing aside the MNLF, are supported with weapons and financial funds from Islamic countries.

Out of the influence of several Arabian states a treaty was signed in 1976 between the Philippine government and the political leadership of the MNLF, resulting in the establishment of two semi-autonomy regions (region IX = western Mindanao and region XII = Central Mindanao). However the regional governments are bound to get the approval from Manila in practically all relevant issues. Militant representatives of the, in the meantime split up fractions of the MNLF, do not agree to this autonomy within a state dominated by Christians. Their target is still the separation of areas with majority of Moslems from the Philippines.

The Marcos regime tried with a combination of military actions and attractive amnesty offers to eliminate the Moslem rebellion on Mindanao. The administration of Aquino in contrast seriously tried to find a peaceful settlement of the Mindanao conflict. Peace talks between Corazon Aquino and Nur Misuari, the founder of the MNLF, lead in 1987/88 to a tremendous reduction of conflicts. Although the government - later under Ramos, developed plans to grant autonomy to 13 of the 21 provinces a final peace agreement up to today seems to be difficult to set. The main reason is that the Moslems in the southern part of the Philippines are representing less than a quarter of the population and only have a majority in four provinces. Militant Christians in Mindanao have already announced their resistance to any form of autonomy for this southern region. Additional tensions and problems arise out of the ethnic differences and rivalry among individual Moslems leaders, resulting in a slitting of the Moro movement. Presently there are three Moro groups among the MNLF with their military organization, the Bangsa Moro Army, remains the strongest. Despite continuous negotiations a final peace agreement seems to be still far away.

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Last Updated - Sunday, July 07, 2002