Page 262 - Encyclopedia Of Terrorism

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240———Moro National Liberation Front

stalled negotiations—the MNLF wanted to place many talks to determine the limits of autonomy for the south-
areas with clear Christian majorities under Muslim ern Muslims.
control. Nothing substantive was accomplished until
1993, when Aquino’s successor, Fidel Ramos, suc-
ceeded in drawing the MNLF to the negotiating table. MNLF RESURGENT
In 1996, an agreement was signed giving Misuari During 1999 and early 2000, MNLF members had been
control over four majority-Muslim provinces on growing steadily more displeased with Misuari’s leader-
Mindanao, with the possibility of more provinces ship. In March 2000, a breakaway faction of young
opting for autonomy in three years. MNLF members MNLF members, estimated at 200 former guerrillas,
laid down their arms; the Ramos government hoped launched a surprise attack on a Mindanao Army post,
that Misuari could persuade the MILF to do like- killing several soldiers. The group failed to inspire a
wise. The MILF declined to disarm. Over the next mass revolt in the MNLF and was quickly disbanded.
few years, Misuari would prove to be a better guer- Rumblings about replacing Misuari grew steadily louder
rilla than politician; promised aid for economic during this time, however, and in November 2001, with
development of Mindanao and other Muslim pro- his loss in the upcoming presidential elections a near
vinces was not forthcoming. Continued dissatis- certainty, Misuari resigned as president of the autono-
faction lent support to the MILF, which stepped up its mous Muslim provinces and once again called for
attacks. war. His rebellion was short lived; by December 2001,
In 1998, former action-movie star Joseph Estrada Misuari had fled to Malaysia and at the time of this writ-
was elected president of the Philippines. He underesti- ing a new leader of the MNLF has yet to emerge. The
mated the strength of the guerrillas and his tough group as a whole seems to favor continued peace.
talk about eliminating the rebel threat soon undid all At the beginning of 2002, both the MNLF and the
the peace moves of his predecessor’s administration. MILF had signed peace agreements with the govern-
Clashes between the Army and the MILF drove 80,000 ment. However, conditions in the Muslim homeland
people from their homes in 1999. Escalating violence remain among the worst in the country. The activities
forced a tactical reconsideration, but Estrada’s admin- of a separate Muslim terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf,
istration was inconsistent in its approach to the MILF. continue to threaten the peaceful development of the
At first, the government attempted to initiate negotia- region. Following the terrorist attacks on the World
tions with the group under a tentative cease-fire agree- Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11,
ment reached in 1997; however, the Army continued 2001, the U.S. government pledged $100 million in
operations during negotiations, and, in response, aid to the Philippines and has sent Special Forces
Salamat refused to meet with Estrada. Estrada then troops to the country to help train the Philippine
authorized the Army to begin an all-out campaign Army to combat terrorism, causing controversy in
against the rebels, increasing military manpower and the Philippines. MILF leaders have claimed that the
funds to the region. counterterrorism-trained troops will be deployed
In July 2000, the Army captured Camp Abubakar, against them. The region’s cyclic history of violence
a compound that housed both rebel headquarters and and chronic underdevelopment makes it fertile ground
three Muslim villages with schools and other services for further rebellion. It remains to be seen whether the
run by the MILF. Estrada celebrated the victory by current peace will prove to be lasting.
trucking in beer and barbeque for the troops. Islam
prohibits both alcohol and pork, and Muslims saw the See also ABU SAYYAF GROUP; ALEX BONCAYAO BRIGADE;
victory party as a slap in the face; Salamat called for NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY
a jihad against the government. The capture of Camp
Abubakar was only the first of several other advances Further Reading
by government troops; the MILF was forced to retreat
Aglionby, John. “Basilan Is Home to Separatist Violence
to the hills. Once again the government was unable to
and Kidnappings.” The Guardian, January 12, 2001.
eliminate the guerrilla threat. In 2001, Estrada was Clifford, Mark L. “Conflict: The Philippines.” Business
ousted by his vice president, Gloria Arroyo, who initi- Week, No. 3755, July 11, 1997, 37.
ated peace talks with the guerrillas. In June 2001, the Davis, Anthony. “Rebel Without a Pause.” Asiaweek, April
MILF and Arroyo signed a peace agreement and began 3, 1998, 30.