Muslim Insurgency in Mindanao, Philippines

This study deals with the historical evolution of the Muslim uprising in Mindanao and how the present Muslim secessionist groups; the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), evolved from this problem which started way back in the sixteenth century. It also discusses the peace initiatives of the Philippine government in trying to put a solution and an end to this problem. It aims to seek answers to the following questions: (1) How the three major threat groups historically evolved? (2) What are the reasons behind their armed struggle and quest for secession? (3) What measures were done and are still being done by the Philippine government to solve the Muslim insurgency problem? The research indicates that the causes of the Muslim problem are deep rooted in the Philippines colonial past while the immediate and current causes are traced to government neglect and abuses, corrupt local/traditional Muslim leaders, agrarian discontent and land disputes and, the resurgence of the Islamic religion worldwide. The study reveals that the Philippine government is sincere in finding a solution to the problem for they have been initiating peace negotiations with the insurgents. The negotiations or peace talks the government participated in were always along the provisions of the Tripoli Agreement and within Philippine constitutional bounds.