Has Sulu found peace?

Violence in Sulu has significantly declined in the past five years, signaling the emergence of a tentative yet stable peace. For decades, the province has struggled under the shadow of violence, with communities bearing the brunt of conflict and lawlessness, largely due to the presence of the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), notorious for kidnappings and terror attacks.

The recent Conflict Alert report “Appeasing Violence, Conjuring Peace,” highlights the steady decline in instances of violence in Sulu, a province farthest from the reach of the state. Interestingly, while conflict has surged in Maguindanao, the seat of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have seen fewer incidents and deaths. This is reinforced by an environment where cooperation between local governments and the security forces has been robust in addressing violent extremism, particularly by the ASG. There have been serious efforts to reintegrate former combatants into their communities, as well as the return of displaced peoples.

For example, more than 5,000 displaced individuals were able to return to the municipality of Patikul, once an ASG stronghold. In September 2023, authorities declared the province ASG-free, signaling an end to a decadeslong conflict. Sulu also recorded its “most peaceful” elections in its history during the 2022 national polls. Efforts to mediate and settle long-running clan feuds, boost livelihood through cross-border trade, and connect local goods to larger markets have also contributed to Sulu’s progress.

According to the latest poverty data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Sulu outperformed other BARMM provinces in terms of poverty reduction, with rates dropping from 41.5 percent in 2021 to 13 percent in 2023. The recent Supreme Court ruling that excludes Sulu from BARMM poses both opportunities and challenges. While the province has already experienced a degree of autonomy from the regional government, doing things on their own resilience, there are concerns over funding for essential sectors, such as health and education, potentially affecting about 5,700 employees, including teachers and health workers.

While some are worried about losing access to BARMM’s block grant, others are optimistic that this shift will allow Sulu to continue its own path toward sustained development. Community voices reflect an optimistic outlook. Interviews with community members in the daily Aksyon Alerto radio program of DXMS speak of an increased sense of security for fishermen and farmers, growing tourism, and farmers boasting of successful harvests and shipping their produce to cities like Cebu and Zamboanga.

This transformation has become a source of pride for Sulu’s residents. However, it is not all rosy, and peace in Sulu remains fragile. The threat of illegal drugs and weapons continues to linger, replacing violent extremism as the dominant source of conflict. As Sulu navigates its transition out of the BARMM, it is crucial for national, regional, and local leaders to work together to secure the progress made, ensuring stability in livelihood, education, and health services. This recent ruling could serve as a catalyst for collaboration and innovative problem-solving, allowing Sulu to continue its path to peace and prosperity.

The story of Sulu offers valuable insight for the rest of the Bangsamoro region, demonstrating how local leadership, autonomy, and resilience can break cycles of violence. It offers new models and frameworks demonstrating what can be achieved through bespoke solutions and effective strategies in navigating and addressing complicated dynamics and history. This narrative inspires hope, but the journey is far from over, and the transition is rife with difficulty. Leaders must rise to the challenge as the province moves forward, ensuring that Sulu’s hard-won peace and progress are secured and strengthened.

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Maureen Anthea Lacuesta, Deanne Louise Capiral, and Phoebe Dominique Adorable are senior project officers with Climate Conflict Action (CCAA), formerly International Alert Philippines. CCAA is a local peacebuilding nongovernment organization that gathers and analyzes climate and conflict data to collaborate with communities toward actions that lead to sustainable peace.