ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the memorialization of three pre-Martial Law massacres—Jabidah, Tacub, and Manili—and their impact on the Moro struggle for self-determination. The Moros of Mindanao have long struggled for self-determination, a struggle deeply shaped by historical injustices, including these massacres. The analysis focuses on how these massacres are remembered or erased, emphasizing the political forces shaping their memorialization at both local and national levels. Using a qualitative case study approach, we argue that these events not only fueled the emergence of Moro secessionist movements, such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), but also reinforced collective historical narratives that contributed to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019. Memory politics plays a crucial role in sustaining generational struggles, shaping political mobilization, and influencing reconciliation efforts. Situating these massacres within broader debates on memory, identity, and resistance provides insights into the intersection of historical injustice and contemporary peacebuilding in Mindanao.
