Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is an active Islamic
movement in the Southern Philippines. The area is called by the MILF
Bangsamoro and covers 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 Philippines 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 accepting 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 over 15,000 members. The group itself claimed a peak strength of almost 90,000 "well-armed" men
(1998).
See also
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