Editing Moro Islamic Liberation Front (section)

==Struggles==

===Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain===
On August 4, 2008, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the government and the MILF from officially signing the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), which would conclude all dispute and begin formal talks that would lead to the drafting and eventual signing of a Final Comprehensive Compact between the two groups.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jurand |first=Deirdre |date=August 4, 2008 |title=Philippines High Court Blocks Signing of Regional Peace Agreement |url=http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2008/08/philippines-high-court-blocks-signing.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603093406/http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2008/08/philippines-high-court-blocks-signing.php |archive-date=June 3, 2010 |access-date=June 4, 2010 |website=Jurist |publisher=University of Pittsburgh }}</ref> The court accepted motions by the southern provincial governments that objected to the extended boundaries for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao envisioned in the peace deal. The MOA-AD would have allowed the Moro people to gain control of the region under the concept of [[human rights]] with the right to establish a [[police]] force and to control [[natural resource]]s.<ref name=wpraug2008>{{cite news|last=Parameswaran|first=Prashanth|title=Preserving the Southern Philippines' Threatened Peace Deal|publisher=World Politics Review|date=August 18, 2008|url=http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=2579|access-date=January 14, 2009|archive-date=October 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002085605/http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=2579|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The MOA-AD was initialed by former governor and peace panel chair Rodolfo Garcia and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process [[Hermogenes Esperon]] and MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal on July 27, 2008, in Malaysia. It was scheduled for formal signing on August 5, but the Supreme Court issued no negotiation preventing the executive department from signing the agreement.<ref name="Arguillas" /> The MOA-AD was the last of several agenda items under the 2001 agreement of the GRP-MILF, after security and relief and rehabilitation, prior to the discussion on the political settlement.<ref name="Arguillas">{{Cite news |last=Arguillas |first=Carolyn O. |date=November 22, 2008 |title=SC Affirms Oct. 14 Ruling on "Unconstitutional" MOA-AD |work=MindaNews |url=http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5515&Itemid=190 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 14, 2010 |archive-date=April 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413161158/http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5515&Itemid=190 }}</ref>

The [[Young Moro Professionals Network]] (YMPN) appealed to the public not to be afraid of the MOA-AD and to "open your hearts to the Moro grievance".<ref name="YMPN" /> The YMPN said in a statement dated August 21, 2009:
<blockquote>In these times of hardship, we hold hands as one, with our Christian and Islamic neighbours, in the name of peace, acceptance and justice. We are committed to democratic and peaceful resolution of the conflict. Do not be afraid of the MOA-AD. To the national public, open your hearts to the Moro grievance.<ref name="YMPN">{{Cite news |date=2009 |title=Young Moro Group Appeals to Public: "Open Your Hearts to the Moro Grievance" |work=MindaNews |url=http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5037&Itemid=190 }}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}</ref></blockquote>

Over the next month, several MILF commanders were tagged by government officials as having initiated an offensive campaign. The [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] responded to the allegation by immediately deploying ten battalions composed of a total of 6,000 soldiers into Mindanao under the command of Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009 |title=Military Starts Operations Against Bravo |work=MindaNews |url=http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5003&Itemid=190 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 15, 2009 |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905173733/http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5003&Itemid=190 }}</ref> The violence displaced over 600,000 people and left about 300 dead.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gallardo |first=Froilan |date=March 18, 2009 |title=Thousands Line up Road for Mindanao Peace Power Day |work=MindaNews |url=http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6100&Itemid=190 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 15, 2009 |archive-date=April 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410132749/http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6100&Itemid=190 }}</ref>

On October 14, 2008, the court conducted a series of divided votes declared "contrary to law and the Constitution" the MOA-AD of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front [[Tripoli Agreement]] of Peace on 2001. [[Conchita Carpio-Morales]] ruled: "In sum, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process committed grave abuse of discretion when he failed to carry out the pertinent consultation process. The furtive process by which the MOA-AD was designed and crafted runs contrary to and in excess of the legal authority and amounts to a whimsical, capricious, oppressive, arbitrary and despotic exercise thereof. It illustrates a gross evasion of positive duty and a virtual refusal to perform the duty enjoined."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rempillo |first=Jay B. |date=October 14, 2008 |title=SC Declares MOA-AD Unconstitutional |url=http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2008/10/10140801.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017064214/http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2008/10/10140801.php |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=October 15, 2008 |website=Supreme Court of the Philippines}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rufo |first=Aries |date=October 14, 2008 |title=Palace Loses Ancestral Domain Case with 8-7 SC Vote |work=ABS-CBN News Online |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/14/08/palace-loses-ancestral-domain-case-8-7-vote |access-date=June 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522115427/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/14/08/palace-loses-ancestral-domain-case-8-7-vote |archive-date=May 22, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Torres |first=Tetch |date=October 14, 2008 |title=SC: MILF Deal Unconstitutional: Arroyo Can't Enter Pacts Needing Charter Change |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081014-166307/SC-MILF-deal-unconstitutional |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522111909/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081014-166307/SC-MILF-deal-unconstitutional |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |access-date=June 4, 2010 |website=Inquirer.net}}</ref>

Civil society organizations such as [[Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society]] submitted a motion for reconsideration. However, on November 21, 2008, the Supreme Court affirmed its October 14 ruling that declared unconstitutional the MOA-AD between the Philippine government and the MILF.<ref name="Arguillas" />

MILF soldiers offered to help free the Irish priest father Michael Sinott, who was kidnapped in the Philippines on October 14, 2009, and sought permission to deploy about 100 of its soldiers in the area where Sinnott is believed to be held. However, this was turned down by the Philippine government.

===Modification of demands===
On September 23, 2010, Mohagher Iqbal said that the MILF would pursue a substate, likened to a [[Federated state|U.S. state]], instead of independence from the Philippines. The Muslim substate would not exercise power over national defense, foreign affairs, currency and coinage, and postal services, which the central government would continue to exercise. Iqbal further added that the substate would not have its own armed forces but instead would have troops for internal security.<ref name="Teves 2010">{{Cite news |last=Teves |first=Oliver |date=September 23, 2010 |title=Philippine Muslim Rebels Drop Independence Demand |work=ABC News International |agency=Associated Press |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=11707054 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201524/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=11707054 }}</ref>

===Peace talks===
{{Main|Peace process with the Bangsamoro in the Philippines}}"Moro women were initially disenfranchised in the peace talks, even if they are equal stakeholders in the war making and peacebuilding in Mindanao, and that "the war years took their toll mostly on women and children" (Arguillas 2014)." Jopson said.<ref name="jop01">Jopson, T. L. (2023). Moro Women’s Participation and Legitimation in the Bangsamoro Peace Process. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 42(2), 143-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/18681034231178327</ref> There were no Moro women publicly involved in the peace talks. The all-men panels reflected the military framework of the earlier talks.<ref name="jop01"/>

Emily Marohombsar was the first Moro woman negotiator for the GPH from 1998 to 2004.<ref name="jop01"/> The rounds of peace talks from 2010 was more diverse in terms of participation and leadership.<ref name="jop01"/> Women's involvment in peace talks justified the limited scope and narrow focus of gender content in the peace documents, since securing the BARMM was the main goal and the Moro identity was important.<ref name="jop01"/>

On October 7, 2012, President [[Benigno Aquino III|Benigno Aquino]] announced [[Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro|a peace deal]] with the MILF and that "This framework agreement paves the way for a final and enduring peace in Mindanao". MILF vice-chair [[Ghazali Jaafar]] said, "We are very happy. We thank the president for this." The deal was signed on October 15, 2012. Its aim is to pave the way to enduring peace between the two parties by officially envisaging an autonomous region in Mindanao.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2012 |title=Rebel Leaders, Filipino Officials Sign Landmark Peace Deal |language=en |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/10/15/world/asia/philippines-peace-agreement/index.html |access-date=June 27, 2022}}</ref>

According to the framework, this semi-independent Muslim area would have a more just share of revenues from the extraction of its own plentiful resources, budgetary autonomy, its own police, and [[sharia law]] only for Muslims.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 2012 |title=The Bangsamoro Roadshow |url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/12/peace-plan-philippines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214181555/http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/12/peace-plan-philippines |archive-date=February 14, 2013 |access-date=March 19, 2013 |newspaper=The Economist |url-status=live }}</ref> In exchange for this, the MILF would be willing to stop armed movements against the government for autonomy and allow the national government to retain its control of [[national security]] and [[foreign policy]].<ref name="BBC News 2012">{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2012 |title=Philippines and Muslim Rebels Agree Peace Deal |language=en |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19860907 |access-date=June 27, 2022}}</ref> The autonomy agreement to be gradually implemented would also rename the region ''[[Bangsamoro]]'', after the Moro people.<ref name="BBC News 2012"/>

Chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that the government was cautiously optimistic for a final agreement soon following six days of talks on July 13, 2013. She said: "This signing indicates that both sides are really committed to finish the peace negotiations. Nobody wants this not to reach its fruition." The agreement would see government allowances for the MILF to have a 75 percent share of earnings from natural resources and metallic minerals in a proposed autonomous region. For other energy resources, earnings would be split equally in accordance with Malaysia-brokered talks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 2013 |title=Philippines and Rebels Reach Deal |language=en |work=Al Jazeera |agency=AFP |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/7/14/philippines-and-rebels-reach-wealth-deal |access-date=June 27, 2022}}</ref>

===Peace agreement===
On January 24, 2014, Philippine government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer and MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal signed a peace agreement in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. The agreement would pave the way for the creation of the new Muslim autonomous entity called ''Bangsamoro'' under a law to be approved by the Philippine Congress. The government aimed to set up the region by 2016. The agreement called for Muslim self-rule in parts of the southern Philippines in exchange for a deactivation of rebel forces by the MILF. MILF forces would turn over their firearms to a third party selected by the MILF and the Philippine government. A regional police force would be established, and the Philippine military would reduce the presence of troops and help disband private armies in the area.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 25, 2014 |title=Philippine Peace Breakthrough |language=en |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/most-recent/391473/moro-rebels-take-major-step-toward-peace |access-date=June 27, 2022}}</ref> President [[Rodrigo Duterte]] signed the law, a key step to ending a Muslim rebellion in the south of the mainly [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Philippines.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 29, 2018 |title=Philippine Muslims Hope New Law Brings 'Dream of Peace' |language=en |work=Al Jazeera |agency=AFP |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/7/29/philippine-muslims-hope-new-law-brings-dream-of-peace |access-date=June 27, 2022}}</ref> In early January 2020, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process announced progress exceeding its target for the decommissioning of MILF fighters, noting that "8,879 out of the 12,000 MILF combatants were decommissioned from the last quarter of 2019".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gita-Carlos |first=Ruth Abbey |date=January 17, 2020 |title=OPAPP 'Exceeded' Target in Decommissioning MILF |work=Philippine Canadian Inquirer |agency=Philippine News Agency |url=http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2020/01/17/opapp-exceeded-target-in-decommissioning-milf/ |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225074620/http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2020/01/17/opapp-exceeded-target-in-decommissioning-milf/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some former rebel fighters have joined the police and military to protect certain areas of the Bangsamoro region until an elected government is established in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gotinga |first=J. C. |date=November 24, 2019 |title=150 More MILF Soldiers Join Bangsamoro Security Team |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/245679-more-milf-soldiers-join-bangsamoro-security-team/ |access-date=June 27, 2022 |website=Rappler |language=en}}</ref>

As of 2023, the MILF is steering the BARMM and started decommissioning in 2019, and the peace negotiators are preparing for an exit agreement.<ref name="jop01"/>