1.

Government peace with Filipino Muslims and with Communist insurgency

 Peace initiatives with CPP-NPA
 The Mindanao Independent Movement
 The Moro National Liberation Front and the Tripoli Agreement of 1976
 The Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government Peace Initiatives

Lesson 1 Government Peace Treaties with Muslim Filipinos

The continuing struggle in Mindanao and Sulu, as well as the existing campaign for
the self-determination of the Bangsamoro people, comes mainly from years of unsettled
historical injustices, which include the forceful incorporation of the Moros into the
American colonial government and the authorization of the government for Christians to
migrate to Mindanao at the turn of the twentieth century.

Moros comes from the Spanish word “Moors” which was a derogatory term for
Muslims. Since then, it has been used to denote Filipino Muslims. ‘Moro’ denotes a
Muslim
inhabitant and non-Hispanicized in the ‘unsubjugated’ southern islands. Bangsamoro,
on
the other hand, is a combination of “bangsa” and Moro. The term ‘bangsa’ or ‘bansa’ is
a Malay word that usually refers to nations, castes, descent groups or lines,
races or
estates. The composite term ‘Bangsa Moro’, refers to the ‘Moro nation’. It is a recently
adopted name that is becoming popular to the people. It refers to the community of
Islamized indigenous groups in Mindanao
Government Peace Treaties with Muslim Filipinos
The continuing struggle in Mindanao and Sulu, as well as the existing campaign
for the self-determination of the Bangsamoro people, comes mainly from years of
unsettled historical injustices, which include the forceful incorporation of the Moros
into the American colonial government and the authorization of the government for
Christians to migrate to Mindanao at the turn of the twentieth century.
Moros comes from the Spanish word “Moors” which was a derogatory
term for Muslims. Since then, it has been used to denote Filipino Muslims. ‘Moro’
denotes a Muslim inhabitant and non-Hispanicized in the ‘unsubjugated’ southern
islands. Bangsamoro, on the other hand, is a combination of “bangsa” and Moro. The
term ‘bangsa’ or ‘bansa’ is a Malay word that usually refers to nations, castes,
descent groups or lines, races or estates. The composite term ‘Bangsa Moro’, refers
to the ‘Moro nation’. It is a recently adopted name that is becoming popular to the
people. It refers to the community of Islamized indigenous groups in Mindanao.
Mindanao is made up of the large islands south of the Philippines. Sulu archipelago
is the cluster of 500 islands between Sulu and the Celebes Sea. It is necessary
to
remember that Mindanao and Sulu are different but interrelated geographical entities.
At present, Mindanao is mostly occupied by three groups of people -- the settlers, the
Moros and the Lumad. Lumad is a Cebuano Bisayan term which means “indigenous”.
Starting in 1997, the Lumad began referring themselves as indigenous peoples
in
coherence with the practice of international assemblies like the United Nations, but
more
particularly, in line with the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 by
the
Philippine Congress. The Moros are indigenous to Mindanao and became Muslim when
Arab traders-missionaries came to the region, married into the local population
and
spread Islam starting as early as the 14th century, in Tawi-Tawi in the late 14th century,
and in Central Mindanao in the early 16th century. They are, at present, the majority in
the five provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The
third
major group includes largely Christian migrants and descendants who came from Luzon
and Visayas.

The struggle for self-determination of Muslims in Mindanao started when the

Philippines was still a colony of the United States of America. In the 1930s, US
authorities
persuaded Christian Filipinos in Luzon and Visayas to migrate to the southern region of
Mindanao, which was mostly occupied by Moros. Because of this migration, the Moros
gradually became a minority in many parts of southern Philippines. What finally sparked
the Muslim separatist war against the Philippine state is the Jabidah massacre
which
happened in 1968. This led to the establishment of the Moro National Liberation
Front
(MILF). The MNLF led an insurgency against the Philippine government. They declared
their war of national liberation and their intention to establish the Bangsamoro Republic
in the region that they claimed as their ancestral homeland.

With the help of the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Philippine government
and the MNLF signed the Tripoli Agreement in 1976. Under this agreement, a ceasefire
is
declared between the two parties. It provides that Mindanao would still be a part of the
Philippines. The agreement also identified 13 provinces in Southern Philippines
where
Muslims shall enjoy political autonomy. However, the Marcos regime refused the
agreement, resulting in the resume of the armed movement. In 1977, the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) was formed. It is the result of a series of factional splits because
of
the members' disagreement with MNLF's decisions. The MILF did not believe in
negotiating
with the government.

In 1986, Marcos was forced from power by revolution. The new president, Corazon
Aquino and the leader of MNLF, Nur Misuari, quickly arranged for a ceasefire, and
in
January 1987, the MNLF agreed to drop its demand for an independent state in return
for regional autonomy. The MILF, on the other hand, declined to take part in it. In the
succeeding year, the MILF replaced the MNLF in pursuing Moro secession.
Under the
Republic Act 6734 the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM was created
the following year.

MNLF came to a peace settlement with the Ramos administration which gave the
ARMM limited self-rule over the most impoverished Muslim regions in the south in 1996.
Later that year, Nur Misuari was elected as the governor of the autonomous region. In
1997, MILF signed a ceasefire agreement and started peace talks with the
Ramos
administration. However, major fighting outbreaks caused discontinuance of the peace
Mindanao is made up of the large islands south of the Philippines. Sulu archipelago is
the cluster of 500 islands between Sulu and the Celebes Sea. It is necessary to
remember that Mindanao and Sulu are different but interrelated geographical entities. At
present, Mindanao is mostly occupied by three groups of people -- the settlers, the
Moros and the Lumad. Lumad is a Cebuano Bisayan term which means “indigenous”.
Starting in 1997, the Lumad began referring themselves as indigenous peoples
in coherence with the practice of international assemblies like the United Nations, but
more particularly, in line with the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997
by the Philippine Congress. The Moros are indigenous to Mindanao and became
Muslim when Arab traders-missionaries came to the region, married into the local
population and spread Islam starting as early as the 14th century, in Tawi-Tawi in the
late 14th century, and in Central Mindanao in the early 16th century. They are, at
present, the majority in the five provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu
and Tawi-Tawi. The third major group includes largely Christian migrants and
descendants who came from Luzon and Visayas.
The struggle for self-determination of Muslims in Mindanao started when the
Philippines was still a colony of the United States of America. In the 1930s, US
authorities persuaded Christian Filipinos in Luzon and Visayas to migrate to the
southern region of Mindanao, which was mostly occupied by Moros. Because of this
migration, the Moros gradually became a minority in many parts of southern Philippines.
What finally sparked the Muslim separatist war against the Philippine state is the
Jabidah massacre which happened in 1968. This led to the establishment of the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The MNLF led an insurgency against the
Philippine government. They declared their war of national liberation and their intention
to establish the Bangsamoro Republic in the region that they claimed as their ancestral
homeland.
 With the help of the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Philippine government
and the MNLF signed the Tripoli Agreement in 1976. Under this agreement, a ceasefire
is declared between the two parties. It provides that Mindanao would still be a part of
the Philippines. The agreement also identified 13 provinces in Southern
Philippines where Muslims shall enjoy political autonomy. However, the Marcos
regime refused the agreement, resulting in the resume of the armed movement. In
1977, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was formed. It is the result of a series of
factional splits because of the members' disagreement with MNLF's decisions. The
MILF did not believe in negotiating with the government.
In 1986, Marcos was forced from power by revolution. The new president, Corazon
Aquino and the leader of MNLF, Nur Misuari, quickly arranged for a ceasefire, and
in January 1987, the MNLF agreed to drop its demand for an independent state in
return for regional autonomy. The MILF, on the other hand, declined to take part in it. In
the succeeding year, the MILF replaced the MNLF in pursuing Moro secession.
Under the Republic Act 6734 the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM
was created the following year.
MNLF came to a peace settlement with the Ramos administration which gave the
ARMM limited self-rule over the most impoverished Muslim regions in the south in 1996.
Later that year, Nur Misuari was elected as the governor of the autonomous region. In
1997, MILF signed a ceasefire agreement and started peace talks with the
Ramos administration. However, major fighting outbreaks caused discontinuance of the
peace talks. When President Joseph Estrada was elected in 1999, he halted all the
peace talks and pronounced an all-out war against the MILF. Two months after Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo assumed the presidency, the Philippine government and the
MILF signed the Agreement of the General framework for the resumption of peace
between the armed separatist group and the government. The peace, however, didn't
last long since in 2003, President Arroyo declared war against the MILF after the
alleged bombing by the militant group of the Davao International Airport and the Sasa
Wharf. The peace talks with MILF continues, and discussions on ancestral domain pact
for the expansion of ARMM took place in 2004. Several efforts were exerted and finally
in 2008, the Philippine Government and the MILF signed the Memorandum Agreement-
Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).
In 2010, When President Benigno S. Aquino III assumed office, he arranged a new
negotiating panel to continue peace talks with the MILF. Two years after, the
government and the MILF panels announced an agreement to create a new
autonomous political entity to replace the ARMM. Several rounds of peace talks
took place while the Bangsamoro Basic Law was being drafted by the
Bangsamoro Transition Commission. However, in 2013, Nur Misuari launched an
attack in Zamboanga City because he disapproves the current peace talks
between the government and the MILF. The discussions on the proposed BBL
began at the 16th Congress. The 16th Congress ended without having passed the BBL,
which will be deliberated again under a new president. In 2017, under the Duterte
administration, new members were included to the Bangsamoro Transition
Commission, and the final version of the BBL was made. Duterte proclaimed the
passing of the BBL as urgent. After long deliberation and after the BBL was passed on
both Houses, Duterte finally signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018. The
following year, after the plebiscite voting, the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers
announced that the BOL is "deemed ratified", replacing ARMM with Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Profiles of groups and organizations involved in the Moro struggle

It is increasingly accepted within the social sciences that ethnic boundaries are not fixed, but contingent
and socially constructed (Chai, 2005). This theory explains the Moro concept as an ethnic boundary as
compared to the Christian identity of the Filipino. It used to be derogatory term used by the colonizers
but later adapted by the local and it evolved as a positive term. The Moro ethnic concept is socially
constructed.

This section provides a background and critical information on the major groups and the history of their
involvement in the Bangsamoro quest for self-determination:

1) Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF): Foremost and founded in 1969, the MNLF draws its
members primarily, though not exclusively, from the Tausug, Samal, and Yakan ethnolinguistic groups.
Note here the emphasis on the mention of ethnic groups as basis for identity and recognition. Its first
members were youth recruited by the traditional Muslim leadership for military training in Malaysia.
Like Nur Misuari, MNLF's chairman, these young men generally had a secular education, and some had
briefly taken part in left-wing student politics. When the MNLF was founded, its objective was to create
an independent Bangsamoro homeland. However, under pressure from the Islamic states, it has
accepted autonomy within the Philippine state. MNLF leaders comprised and served in the ARMM
administration (San Juan, 2008).

The majority of MNLF leaders and members have accepted the Peace Agreement and subsequently
participated in peace and development efforts. This demonstrates the common desire for peace and
confirms that the Moro armed struggle is a struggle for responsive governance. Like other ethnic or
national groups, the Moros simply want peace, development, participation, recognition and respect. The
Agreement offered a promise of more responsive governance, not only to Muslims, but also to
Christians and Highlanders in the SZOPAD. But its implementation had a very limited impact on the
region, and mainly favored the MNLF members, their families and communities in particular. The dismal
performance in relation to the primary target clients – the MNLF members – suggests a failure of Phase I
as a confidence building intervention. It also implies a bleak scenario for Phase II (expanded ARMM). It
later proved that the performance of this Agreement did not achieve the goal of expanding the four-
province ARMM to a larger one. (Although it must be noted that Basilan opted to join ARMM by virtue
of a plebiscite in 2001 (Gershman, 2001).
2) Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF): While the MILF was officially founded in 1984, its origins were
in a group led by Central Committee member Salamat Hashim that left the MNLF shortly after the
collapse of the Tripoli Agreement in 1977. At first called the New MNLF, it formally established itself in
1984 as the MILF. The organization puts much greater emphasis on Islam than the MNLF, and most of its
leaders are Islamic scholars from traditional aristocratic and religious backgrounds. The MILF claims to
have 120,000 men (six divisions) regular Islamic Armed Forces of which more than 80% are well armed;
300,000 militiamen and even more. Most members come from the Maguindanaon and Iranun ethnic
groups, although Maranaw recruits seem to be increasing. Again, the emphasis on ethnic groups is
mentioned herein (Gershman, 2001).

The demand of the MILF is an Independent (sovereign) Moro Islamic State. Accordingly, the Moroland is
rich of natural resources and mines, aside from the fertility of its soil, yet quite behind in economic
development because of being neglected by the Manila government. Allegedly, since the annexation of
the Moroland by the Philippines, a vast amount of income was generated by the government out of the
Mindanao wealth on the account of the Moros themselves. On a hardline stance they claim that “unless
the would-be Moro sovereign Islamic State is established, no real economic development is expected.

Other materials:
1. 1996 Final Peace Agreement RA 9054 (ARMM Law)
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9054_2001.html
2. Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)

https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/PH_140327_Comprehe
nsiveAgreementBangsamoro.pdf
3. RA 11054 (BOL) Secondary sources; Majul, Cesar (1999)
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2018/ra_11054_2018.html
4. Communist insurgencies
https://acleddata.com/2023/07/13/the-communist-insurgency-in-the-
philippines-a-protracted-peoples-war-continues/
5. Moro Struggle.
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/ccpv/assets/docs/CCPV%20-%20The
%20Bangsamoro%20Struggle%20for%20Self-Determination%20-%20A
%20Case%20Study%20-%20By%20Caecilia%20Noble.pdf