Political history studies how power is organized and operated within a society, focusing

on political systems, processes, and institutions. The key concepts of Political History
include Authoritarianism, Republic, Parliamentary systems, Secession, and autonomy.
Authoritarianism is a form of government where power is centralized, limiting political
freedoms. A Republic derives supreme power from the people and their elected
representatives, not a monarch. Parliamentary systems have the executive power
derived from and accountable to the legislature. Secession involves the withdrawal of a
group from a larger political entity, while autonomy refers to the right of self-government
within a larger entity. These concepts highlight different structures of governance and
levels of political power distribution

The political history of the Philippines is characterized by the evolution of the Philippine
Constitution, the significance of elections and political parties in maintaining democracy,
and the pursuit of peace in Muslim Mindanao. Understanding the evolution of the
Philippine Constitution is crucial as it traces the country's self-rule development and the
rights of citizens. Elections and political parties play a vital role in maintaining
democracy by ensuring power resides with the people. The pursuit of peace in Muslim
Mindanao, marked by conflicts and peace treaties, is essential for stability in the region
and the country as a whole. The country's history includes struggles between
Christianized Filipinos and Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao, leading to movements like the
Moro Independence Movement and the formation of groups like the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Various peace
agreements, such as the Tripoli Agreement and the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB), have been signed to address the conflict and establish autonomy
in the region.
The conflict in Mindanao stems from historical tensions between the government and
Muslim people, starting with the U.S. resettlement program in the region, leading to
disputes over land and resources. This conflict escalated with the formation of
separatist movements like the Moro Independence Movement, the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Efforts to achieve
peace included peace agreements like the Tripoli Agreement and the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), culminating in the establishment of the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019. When the
United States took over the Philippines from Spain, they influenced the situation in
Mindanao by implementing a resettlement program that led to tensions between
Christians, Muslims, and non-Christian groups. This resulted in conflicts over land and
resources, fueling separatist movements like the Moro Independence Movement. The
U.S. influence also led to the marginalization of Muslims in Mindanao, contributing to
the rise of organizations like the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The Supreme Court declared the Memorandum of
Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) unconstitutional and illegal because
Christian local officials in Mindanao challenged the agreement, leading to the Supreme
Court's decision to block its signing. This ruling practically dissolved the ongoing peace
talks between the government and the MILF, resulting in a severe escalation of violence
in Mindanao and displacing over half a million citizens in the region.

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was formed in 1972 by students and
politicians, aiming to create the Bangsamoro Republic. It emerged in response to the
Jabidah massacre and the controversial events surrounding Moro army recruits. The
MNLF engaged in armed conflict with the Philippine government during the Martial Law
period, leading to the MNLF War from 1973 to 1977. On the other hand, the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) emerged as a breakaway faction from the MNLF in
1977. The MILF became the primary advocate for Muslim independence after the MNLF
accepted autonomy in the Jeddah Accord. Talks between the government and the MILF
focused on ceasefire agreements and cessation of hostilities, with mediation efforts by
Malaysia and the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)
in 2014.
The steps of peace agreements between the government and Muslim people in the
Philippines involved various key milestones. Peace efforts began with the Tripoli
Agreement in 1976, which aimed to establish autonomy for 13 provinces in Mindanao.
Subsequent agreements, such as the Jeddah Accord in 1987 and the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014, focused on ceasefire arrangements,
autonomy, and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019.

Malaysia played a crucial role in mediating peace talks between the government and
Muslim groups in the Philippines. This mediation led to the signing of significant
agreements like the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) 25. The
focus of these talks was on ceasefire agreements, autonomy, and the establishment of
the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019.

The peace agreements led by the Presidents of the Philippines to the Muslim groups
involved various key events. The Tripoli Agreement in 1976 aimed at autonomy for 13
provinces but faced challenges leading to the creation of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF):

1. President Corazon Aquino's era saw the Jeddah Accord in 1987, which the MNLF
accepted under pressure.

2. President Fidel V. Ramos' term culminated in the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) in
1996, establishing the Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development.

3. President Benigno Aquino III's administration signed the Comprehensive Agreement

on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014, paving the way for the Bangsamoro Organic Law
(BOL) under President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018.

Hence, the timeline of Mindanao's Peace Process includes significant events such as
the signing of the Tripoli Agreement in 1976, the Jeddah Accord in 1987, and the Final
Peace Agreement (FPA) in 1996 with the MNLF. The peace talks with the MILF resumed
in 2011 under President Benigno Aquino III, leading to the signing of the Framework
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) in 2012 and the Comprehensive Agreement on
the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014. The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was passed in
2018 under President Rodrigo Duterte, culminating in the establishment of the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019.