The Struggle for Land and the Paradox of Peace: The Post-Liberal Character of Indigenous Peace Mechanisms in the Cordillera Administrative Region and the Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao

Founded in the post-liberal peace thesis that stresses the culturally and contextually oriented peace, this paper examines the underlying causes of conflict among Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Mindanao, emphasizing the deep-rooted tensions between indigenous cosmologies and the Philippine state’s legal and governance frameworks. Despite the landmark passage of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) in 1997 designed to uphold ancestral land rights and require Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), its implementation remains hampered by structural contradictions. Chief among these are the enduring influence of the Regalian Doctrine, the prioritization of state-led militarization, and the imposition of extractive development projects that disregard indigenous autonomy. The study highlights the continued relevance and strength of indigenous conflict resolution practices such as the Bodong and Tongtongan in the Cordillera, and Kasabutan, Batasan, and Kamot among the Ovu-Manobo and other Lumad groups in Mindanao. These systems reflect a philosophy of restorative justice, rooted in communal memory, intergenerational dialogue, and sacred relations with the land. However, these customary mechanisms face increasing strain due to weakened cultural transmission, external legal and political pressures, and the risk of co-optation by state institutions. The paper calls for a radical rethinking of governance and legal pluralism that harmonizes state law with indigenous justice systems. Sustainable peace in CAR and Mindanao demands institutional reforms that are rooted in decolonial justice, community empowerment, and the defense of indigenous lifeworlds against the ongoing threats of dispossession and cultural erosion.