Another group that operates in Mindanao is called the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF is a group wich broke away from the MNLF in 1987. In general, the goals of the MILF are identical to what the MNLF was struggling for in it’s earlier days. However, when the MNLF made peace with the government, accepting partial autonomy, the MILF felt that this did not go far enough to meet the goals of the Moro people, and thus they broke away from the mother group.
When Joseph Estrada was President from 1998 until 2001, there was an all-out war between the Philippine Government and the MILF, and the Philippine Government was on the verge of wiping out the MILF when President Estrada was ousted from power by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The biggest and most dominant armed camp of the MILF, Camp Abubakar, was overtaken by the Philippine Government in 2000, and the MILF was really on the run at that time. After Arroyo took power, she signed a cease fire agreement with the MILF, and there have been peace negotiations between the two camps ever since. So far, though, no final peace agreement has been reached.
The leader of the MILF originally was a man named Salamat Hashem. Hashem died several years ago (natural causes), but before his death he had forged some ties with the United States, even communications directly with President Bush. US Ambassador Kristie Kenney regularly visits MILF territory and meets with their leadership. Although this seems like a strange connection, it really is true, and apparently the US Government is extending an effort to forge peace in Mindanao. Some Philippine politicians feel that the US Government is aiming to put military bases in Mindanao, inside an automomous area run by the MILF. I have no personal knowledge about this, although my nature is to doubt that such a scenario is in play. The current leader of the MILF is Al-Haj Murad.
Recently, the Philippine Government negotiated an Ancestral Domain deal with the MILF, which would have expanded the ARMM region, and given the MILF even more control that what was won by the MNLF in it’s settlement with the Government. However, the deal has since been abandoned by the Government of the Philippines, and right now there are no further negotiations underway.
As I said in my article about the NPA, I do not feel that the MILF is a major threat to foreigners traveling in the Philippines. It is prudent to stay out of their way, and not get nosey about their business. If you are traveling in Mindanao it is always wise to avoid political discussions, and just keep your opinions about Philippine issues to yourself, so as to avoid potential problems.
For more information about the MILF, you can visit Luwaran, the MILF Website.
Hi Ed Griffin – I am happy to share what I know. Certainly these Muslim groups are not communist. Some would call them terrorists though. I hope we can see the day when all of these groups are a thing of the past.
Hi Larry – There is a lot of word going around about that. I don’t know anything for sure, but I would say that the Ilaga exists.
hello bob
i have to say the mlf make me nervous of my family in mindanao.it seems they kill inocent people and not the ones they are truely mad at.i never understood why so many inocent and good people die in the event of someone elses problems.now all the familys living in shelters and no food for them.i read about milf taking rice ment for the people.what would jesus say??? i dont believe anyones problems with the goverment should be taken out on inocent people.i hope god will forgive them all.
salamat bob
Hi Ron W – Remember, there are good and bad people on each side.
Hi Bob,
This is a most fascinating series! Once again you've outdone yourself both in knowledge and presentation. My only source of [daily] news/information about the Philippines comes from your website. I don't recall such a detailed explanation of the various "factions" in Mindanao, not even in U.S.- based news sources.
Hi Henry – Thank you, Henry. I'm glad that you have found it informative so far.
There are often rumors about US military bases. When I was in Gensan during the '90s it was common for people to talk about a pending US Naval base along Sarangani Bay as though construction had already begun.
Hi Gary – When I moved to GenSan in May 2000, the people there thought that I was there as part of the "coming Naval base" and I would have people coming up to me on the streets giving me their resume, so they could get a job at the base!
Thanks Bob for the series on these various groups. I have been confused for sometime because when I was traveling there in the 80's all I heard about was the NPA. I know there are others but these are the larger factions. I had always thought of the groups as communists or terrorists. Thanks for enlightening me. It's really sad when I hear of friends driven from the only homes they've ever known.
Maayong Buntag Bob
I have been seeing more and more stories that are indicating the Ilaga is being resurrected. Have you heard any thing about this?
❓
Hi Bob
In the past several weeks I've been reading the opinion sections of some of the Philippine newspapers and how many of them have been writing about the U.S. pressuring the government to make a peace deal at any cost with the MILF. Ambassador Kenney has denied this. I do wonder why she is meeting with these officials and not some lower state department person. It does give fodder to these opinion writers though many will always consider the worst of any U.S. actions. Obviously the MOA-AD agreement is dead and I wonder where do talks move from here. The MILF will still want this type of agreement but no Philippine government will allow agree to this (I'm really surprised that GMA would ok this though she is backtracking on even if it was signed that the officials had no authority. More of the same from her I guess.) I know the AFP is hunting down the two commanders for the recent violence, and the military offensive is contained to these 2 MILF armed divisions. I wonder if future talks show no progress will a more wider scale violence occur and I'm surprised the MNLF has shown really no response to this. I would think on one part they would want even more powers to the ARMM as what was to be given to the MILF or that they are quite happy with the MILF still out of the election/politics which will guarantee their hold on government there. The MILF really wanted to delay the recent ARMM elections.
Bob you are right that foreigners have very little to be worried by the MILF but they do cause havoc and violence at times and sufferings for some of the locals. Where do you see the MILF situation going in the future? Will they still be satisfied with peace talks or will they return to a fullscale rebellion.
Hi Neil – I believe that the talks between MILF and GRP are really at a crossroads. If MILF doesn't get it's way, and some kind of AD agreement, we could be looking at some fierce fighting. I hope I am wrong.
I would say that the Ilaga exists:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/…
I would agree with Bob as well . . . and hope that this doesn't mushroom into an all-out insurrection. It would appear from the news story above as if though those Ilaga guys are more than serious.
Hi Spencer – This thing indeed is serious business to people here in Mindanao! It could go either way right now.
Hi Bob
Great series. Like Henry said, for some, you are the only true news source for what is happening in the Philippines.
Good article, Bob. For those of you who wants more news on PI, the Philippine Inquirer is free on line and about a dozen other Philippine newspapers. Good day to all and Happy reading on more news about the Philippines.
Hi Dan Mihaliak – I'm glad that you have found the series helpful and informative.
Hi David B. Katague – Yes, I read the PDI regularly. Thanks for sharing that.
Hi Bob!
I have had a great interest in the activities of the MILF. In part because of my family living in Gen-San and also because of the damage being done to the innocent people of Mindinao. I am utterly suprised that the Moros claim ancesteral rights to Mindinao. Moro is a Spanish slang word for muslim. It is not a tribe. There are many native tribes on Mindinao. These people live in peace they dont kill everyone in sight if they are not handed everything they want. It is ironic that the MILF is complaining about IIaga when they protect murderous troops themselves. Maybe they will start thinking about peace once they run out of unarmed helpless victims and are confronted by vigilantes. In all likelyhood the IIaga was probably invited if not on a national level maybe a provincal level. The military is bound by a peace treaty but the IIaga is not. It is probably for the best that the secret peace deal fell through and that the next one will be negotiated by the affected parties. I wish the best for the good people of Mindinao
Hi Tom Ramberg – What about the fact that the Lumads and Moros did own Mindanao up until the early to mid 20th Century, which was then taken away by Christian settlers. The AD MOA included not only the MILF, but all Moro people and the Lumads as well. Don't they have a right to land that indeed was theirs for centuries before it was taken away?
Not any more than the natives of every other country in the world. Conquerers throughout history have dispklaced native populations. The Lumads and Moros were not dispersed throughout Mindinao but were constrained to a small section if the literature I read was correct. Austrasila would be in the same boat as Mindinao if the natives were a bit more violent. All of South and North America have displaced populations. The tribes in Europe were displaced by the Romans. These people that are fighting are not all natives anyway. There are some fighters from malaysia and indonesia. So far they have not proven to be good stewards of the lands put under their control. Why should they be given more?
Hi Tom Ramberg – So, if people come and take your land by force, it's OK, because it was done on the next block, and the other side of town too? For me, it doesn't work that way. Amends should be made. In the USA, American Indians were displaced, but they are also given allowances due to what happened, they get some special treatment that others don't get. Is it 100% right the way that they have been handled – NO – but it's better than what has happened in Mindanao where these natives are the poorest and most neglected people of the Philippines.
We agree that some concessions should be made to make amends to displaced people. It is my contention that they should not be rewarded for their behavior. The secret agreement that was almost passed would have given them almost complete control of a large area that would have probably become a sponsor of terrorism for the region. It is likely that neighboring communities would be victims of cross border raids. There is a distinct difference with this situation. These people are using religion as a source of discrimination as well as their ancestoral background. They routinely go to libya and other terrorist sponser countries for training. I dont think there will ever be any satisfaction gained by these people.
Hi Tom Ramberg – I think this time we will have to agree to disagree on this particular topic. Just reading the term "these people" starts making my blood boil… so we'd be better to open another beer and talk about something else this time! 😆 Don't worry, Tom, I don't hold any grudges!
Hi Bob!
Thanks for the spirited debate. I think that we agree on most things just to varying degrees. I was about to also extend the olive branch because I value your insight and hopefully someday we can become friends. Sorry if you took the term these people as a belittlement. I think that we both share a great saddness for the victims of this turmoil regardless of their affiliation. Since I am a moderate drinker hopefully you willl not mind a beer na beer instead of a red horse 😀
Hi Tom Ramberg – I'll have a diet coke, since I drink only very rarely! 😆