Moro Islamic Liberation Front

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is an active Islamic movement in the Southern Philippines . The area is called by the MILF Bangsamoro and covers southern portion of Mindanao , the Sulu Archipelago , Palawan, Basilan and the neighbouring islands—around one third of the Philippines in total. Twelve million Muslims live within this area and 8 million others. Muslim agitation in the Philippines is the result of generational divisions. Many younger Muslims wanted a more modern Islamic society. The reformers were themselves split between moderates, working within the system, and militants, engaging in guerrilla-style warfare. Radical Muslims within Moroland consider themselves to be taking part in a jihad against the Manila government, a continuation of a struggle dating back to the Spanish arrival in 1521. The government is accused of running a settlement program to bring in Christians and remove Muslims from local government posts, it has also been accused of genocide against the Moro Muslims. Resistance to the Philippine government was first centred around the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), formed in the late 1960s following the Jabidah Massacre. The group demanded the formation of a independent Moro Islamic state and took part in terrorist attacks and assassinations to promote their ideas. The central government rejected this demand and sent troops into Moroland to maintain order. The MILF was formed in 1977 when Salamat Hashim split from the MNLF which had become more moderate. In January 1987, the MNLF accepted the government's offer of semi-autonomy. The MILF refused to accept the offer. The MILF became the largest separatist group in the Philippines. A general cessation of hostilities was signed in July 1997 but this agreement was broken in 2000 by the government of Joseph Estrada . The MILF initially declared a jihad but became more receptive, especially following claims it is linked to the Abu Sayyaf and al Qaeda . A ceasefire accord was signed with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo . The MILF is believed to have 12,000 members. The group itself claimed a peak strength of almost 90,000 "well-armed" men as at 1998. Despite peace negotiations that had appeared to be fruitful and a two year peacefire, in January 2005 MILF operatives attacked government troops in Maguindanao resulting in at least twenty-three deaths. Led by Andul Rahman Binago, one hundred MILF rebels surrounded the soldiers and were believed to have executed several wounded. The combined troops of MILF, Abu Sofia and Abu Sayyaf were involved in days of fighting which necessitated goveernment troops using 105 howitzers to attack the rebel forces. Thousands of civilians in Maguindanao were forced to leave their homes to avoid danger. The MILF denied authorizing the attack, and said they were trying to communicate with Binago. A spokesman explained that a relative of Binago had recently been killed by government troops and speculated this might have motivated his activities. The incident raised speculation that the peace negotiations might be ineffectual in bringing peace to Mindanao if the MILF is unable to control its operatives. MILF denies ties with terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah , although Jemaah Islamiyah is believed to have provided them with training facilities in areas they control.¹