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Moro conflict

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Islamic insurgency in the Philippines
Part of War on Terror


Above:Filipino and US Troops during the PMC Balikatan Exercise
Below:A member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front training with a light machine gun.
Date1969-Present
Location
Philippines
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
 Philippines Moro National Liberation Front[1]
File:Pi milf.gif Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Abu Sayyaf
Rajah Sulaiman Movement
Jemaah Islamiyah
al-Khobar
Casualties and losses
572 Filipino soldiers[2]
17 American soldiers[3]
160,000 civilians[4]

The Islamic insurgency in the Philippines refers to political tensions and open hostilities which began on 1969 between the Jihadist rebel groups and the Philippine government. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was established by University of the Philippines professor Nur Misuari to condemn the killings of more than 60 Filipino Muslims and later became an aggressor against the government while the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a splinter group from the MILF, was established to seek an Islamic state within the Philippines and is more radical and more aggressive. Conflict dates back to 1899 during the uprising of the Bangsamoro people to resist foreign rule from the United States. Hostilities ignited again starting on 1960s when the government started to resist upcoming rebellions by killing more than 60 Filipino Muslims and continues up to present.

History

Moro Rebellion (1899-1913)

Main article: Moro Rebellion
The aftermath of the First Battle of Bud Dajo

Prior to the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the United States Military engaged in a conflict between the Moro revolutionary groups that opposes foreign rule. It continued for more than three decades which resulted in massive lost of lives. Military governors were appointed by the United States to ensure peace and stability within the region. The conflict ended at the term of Major General John J. Pershing, the third and final military governor of Moro Province, although resistance continued in Bud Dajo and Mount Bagsak in Jolo.

Prelude and the Administrations of Marcos, Aquino and Ramos (1960-1998)

Under President Ferdinand Marcos, 68 Filipino Muslim military trainees are murdered in Corregidor allegedly by soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[5][6] The trainees were believed to be a part of an upcoming rebellion.[6] By then, University of the Philippines professor Nur Misuari form the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to condemn the killings of the 68 Filipino Muslims and to seek the establishment of a Bangsamoro nation through force of arms.[6]

Osama bin Laden in 1997

On 1969, the MNLF wages armed conflict against the Philippine government.[6] During one of the fierce battles of the insurgency on 1974, Jolo was burned down and news of the tragedy galvanizes other Muslims around the world to pay greater attention to the conflict. Two years later, the Philippine government and the MNLF signed the Tripoli Agreement, declaring ceasefire on both sides. Within the agreement provides that Mindanao would remain a part of the Philippines but 13 of its provinces would be under the autonomous government for the Bangsamoro people.[6] President Marcos goes against the agreement and violence ensued.

On 1977, Shiekh Salamat Hashim established the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a splinter group of the MNLF seeking to establish an Islamic state.[7] Conflicts between these rebel groups and the Armed Forces of the Philippines would continue until the end of the regime of President Marcos.

Earlier in her term, President Corazon Aquino arranged a meeting with MNLF chairman Nur Misuari and several MNLF rebel groups in Sulu, which paved the way for a series of negotiations. On 1989, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was created under Republic Act No. 6734 or the ARMM Organic Act, pursuant to the 1987 Constitution.[8]

On 1991, Abdurajak Janjalani, a former teacher who studied Islam in the Middle East, forms the Abu Sayyaf Group after reportedly meeting Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Janjalani recruited former members of the MNLF for the more radical and theocratic Abu Sayyaf.[6]

Under the Presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, several negotiations and peace talks were held and the ARMM was solidified and was to have its own geopolitical system.[6]

Administrations of Estrada and Arroyo (1998-2010)

Under the term President Joseph Ejercito Estrada he declared an "all-out war" against the MILF on March 21, 2000 although a series of negotiations for cessation of hostilities were held.[7] Apparently, several conflicts in and around Mindanao erupted and clashes between the Philippine Military and the rebel groups resulted in massive lost of lives.

During his term, these rebel groups kidnapped three Italian priest, two were later released and one was shot dead;[9][10] seized the municipal hall of Talayan, Maguindanao and Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; the bombing during the feast Our Lady of Mediatrix at Ozamiz; and the takeover of Narciso Ramos Highway. All these incidents resulted in massive loss of investments abroad, especially in the area of Mindanao.

As a result, the Armed Forces of the Philippines launch a successful campaign against these rebel groups and 43 minor camps, 13 major camps including the MILF headquarters, and Camp Abubakar[11] fell. MILF suffered heavy losses and the head of MILF, Sheikh Salamat Hashim, fled the country and sought refuge in Malaysia. On October 5, 2000, 609 rebels surrendered in Cagayan de Oro, along with renegade town mayor Mulapandi Cosain Sarip.[12] These was followed by another massive surrender of 855 rebels on December 29, 2000. President Joseph Ejercito Estrada then ordered that the Philippine flag be raised in Mindanao which symbolizes victory. It was raised on July 9, 2000 near a Madh'hab and again the next day along with President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, which held a feast inside a classroom just meters away from a mosque.[11]

As a result, several Islamic rebel groups retaliate, bombing several key locations within the National Capital Region on December 30, 2000. It resulted in 22 deaths and hundreds of people injured.

On May 27, 2001, the Abu Sayyaf seized twenty hostages from an upscale resort in Palawan. Four of the hostages managed to escape.[13] The kidnapping group composed of 40 gunmen then seized the Dr. Jose Torres Memorial Hospital and St. Peter's Church compound in the town of Lamitan in Basilan[14] and claimed to have taken captive 200 people although 20 people are confirmed to be taken captive inside the hospital, including the staffs and the patients.[15][16]


In a rescue mission staged by Philippine troops, Gracia Burnham was freed but Martin Burnham and another hostage died in the rescue attempt, as well as several Filipino soldiers and rebels. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defended the action of her troops, stressing that "our soldiers did their best to ensure the hostages safety, and I salute them. However, the battle against Abu Sayyaf shall go on".[17]

Islamist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and Rajah Sulaiman movement, have been supported by groups outside the Philippines such as Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda. Since 2001, the Philippine government and the United States have identified this insurgency as part of the War on Terrorism and an American military operation called Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines was established to support the Philippine government to combat the insurgency.[18]

In January 2011, Norway also joined the International Monitoring Team (IMT) overseeing the ceasefire agreement between the government and MILF on Mindanao.[19] However, there has still been some confrontations between the government and rebels. On 10 September 2011, Jal Idris, a hardcore member of Abu Sayyaf, was arrested by government forces.[20] In addition, government troops killed 3 Abu Sayyaf militants on the 11 September in a gun battle in Basilan Island that lasted 30 minutes.[21]

Terrorist incidents

See also

References

  1. ^ Ivan Molloy. "Revolution in the Philippines – The Question of an Alliance Between Islam and Communism". University of California. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  2. ^ Julie Alipala (October 2, 2010). "RP terror campaign cost lives of 11 US, 572 RP soldiers—military". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  3. ^ "Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, Fatalities". iCasualties. August 30, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  4. ^ Crisis — Again — for the Philippines' Arroyo, Time Magazine, November 1, 2007, retrieved December 4, 2007
  5. ^ "Lone survivor recalls Jabidah Massacre". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 18, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Fighting and talking: A Mindanao conflict timeline". GMA News and Public Affairs. October 27, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Speech of Former President Estrada on the GRP-MORO Conflict". Human Development Network. September 18, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  8. ^ "ARMM history and organization". GMA News and Public Affairs. August 11, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  9. ^ "WHAT WENT BEFORE: Third Italian priest killed". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 18, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Italian priest shot dead in Mindanao". The Philippine Star. October 18, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ a b "The fall of MILF?s Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao 10 years ago". July 10, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  12. ^ "Over 600 Muslim Rebels Surrender, Philippine Leader Says more to Follow". October 5, 2000. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  13. ^ "Philippines hostage search begins". BBC News. 27 May 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  14. ^ "Abu Sayyaf kidnappings, bombings and other attacks". GMA News. August 23, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  15. ^ "Philippines hostage crisis deepens". BBC News. 2 June 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  16. ^ "Abu Sayyaf bandits kill two hostages, escape military siege". CDNN. 4 June 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  17. ^ "Gracia's family reunion". CNN. 7 June 2002.
  18. ^ Philippines-Mindanao conflict - At a Glance
  19. ^ Schou, Arild: Can the New Philippine President Push the Faltering Peace Process Forward?, NIBR International Blog 18.02.2011
  20. ^ "Government Forces Arrest Suspected Abu Sayyaf Hardcore Man". Sunstar. 10 September 2011.
  21. ^ "Filipino Troops kill 3 Gunmen Allied to Abu Sayyaf". Associated Press. 11 September 2011.
  22. ^ http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/13693-10-MILF-rebels-killed-in-Freedom-Day-clashes.html
  23. ^ "Five killed by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan".
  24. ^ "Soldier killed in Basilan clash".
  25. ^ Bomb blast on rebel-controlled Philippines island kills 2, wounds 9 - AlertNet
  26. ^ "2 kidnapped traders freed in Philippines". The Mindanao Examiner. 28 August 2011.
  27. ^ "Gunmen Abduct Filipino Businesswoman in Southern Philippines, Officials Say". Washington Post. 4 September 2011.
  28. ^ "Philippine Troops Kill 3 Militants, Rescue Trader". Associated Press. 19 September 2011.
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