MILF

THE MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT

RKUD 3030: METHODS OF DA’WAH

ASSOC. PROF. DR. YUSOFF MOHAMAD

6/10/2009

1) MOHD AIZAD BIN YAHYA 05331732) NOR SHAM BIN SAFIEE 06235013) SHARAFUDDIN BIN SAHRIN 07192434) FAUZI MANSOOR B MOHD IBRAHIM 0815279

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TABLE OF CONTENT

1.1 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………...2

1.2 MNLF: THE ANTECEDENT AND EARLIER STORY………………………3

1.3 MILF: THE STARTING POINT………………………………………………..5

1.4 MILF: THE FOUNDER AND THEIR OBJECTIVES………………………..6

1.5 MILF THE MEMBERS………………………………………………………...11

1.6 MILF: APPROACHES, METHODOLOGIES AND STRETEGIES………..12

1.7 MILF: THE SUCCESS…………………………………………………………15

1.8 MILF: THE FAILURE…………………………………………………………16

1.9 MILF: OBSTACLES AND TRIBULATIONS………………………………...17

1.10 MILF: COOPERATION WITH OTHER ISLAMIC

ORGANIZATIONS……………………………………………………………..19

1.11 ASSESMENT ON THE ORGANIZATION……………………………….21

1.12 CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………23

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1.1 INTRODUCTION

September Eleven or known as 911 gives a big impact to the world society.

The event could be said as the beginning of the new crusade or war between the non-

muslims’ world and the muslims’ world. Many men and women were killed

unknowingly and unwillingly-which give rise to the new ‘apartheid’ or discrimination

between religions especially towards the Muslims.

As being stressed by the United States of America, there are several Islamic

movements on the globe that can be considered threatening not only to the States but

also to the world as a whole. They are known as the ‘Extremist’ and ‘Terrorist’ by

these people. The question now is, are they really can be considered as extremists and

terrorists? Or are all Islamic based movements extreme in the essence and consists of

terrorists? There is a tendency among the westerners to include or to label any Islamic

movements as ‘extremist’ and ‘terrorists’ which will always be associated to the

tragedy of September 11.

Hence, there is a need to understand one’s real objectives, story behind it, and

any considerations need to be analyzed before simply labeling these groups as

terrorists or extremists. One of the listed Islamic movements that has been listed in the

terrorist list is MILF in Philippines.

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1.2 MNLF : THE ANTECEDENT AND EARLIER STORY

The history of its formation can be traced as early at the beginning of

formation of Philippines itself1. There were some group of people protested to the

independency in Philippines, by not only disagreed by the formation of the State of

Philippines, but also by excluding certain states from the formation of the State of

Philippines. Bangsamoro 2 (from the Sulu’s Sultanate) asserted that they should be

independent State from Philippine and given full autonomy to do so. Because of this,

the people lead by Nur Misuari a Professor at the University of the Philippines formed

a group of movement named as Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)3. This group

demanded for formation of an independent Islamic State consisting of the settled areas

of Mindano, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan. Their movements coupled with

guerilla-style attacks against the government which includes terrorist style attack and

assassinations. Lead by these events the President4 of the Philippines in 1972 declared

a Martial Law. Later, a peace agreement was made between these two (the

Government of Philippines and MNLF) with regard to cease fire agreement and

autonomy matters. This peace making was also supported and helped by the

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)5. In 1996, the peace treaties between them

1 It is also suggested that the history of Moro Rebellion can be stretched back as early as 500 years back. Colonel Roland C. Amarille, “A Bold Move to Counter Terrorism”, USAWC Strategy Research Project, Government of the Republic of Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Talks, U.S Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, 2006.2 Refers to ethnic of Bangsamoro lives in area from Sulu to Mindanao this term also denotes the ethnic identity of the muslims in Mindanao, they claimed that these areas were not included in the Treaty between Spain and United States (Treaty of Paris 1898), thus, from the very beginning they asserted that these areas should not to be included in the formation of Philippines. see Colonel Roland C. Amarille3 The group defined itself according to three main beliefs: First, that the Moro people constitute a distinct bangs (nation) that has a specific Islamic historical and cultural identity. Second, that the bangsamoro have a legitimate right to determine their own future. Third, that the MNLF has both a duty and obligation to wage a jihad against the Philipipine State. See Mark Turner, “Terrorism and Secession in the Southern Philippines: The Rise of the Abu Sayyaf,” Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 17, No. 1.4 President Ferdinand Marcos.5 Tripoli Agreement in 1976 made in Libya between President of Philippines and MNLF. However, this is just a mini peacemaking agreement or the earlier stage before the 1996 Peace Treaty agreement was concluded between them and finalized.

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were finalized by the parties. The objective is simply to ensure peace and harmony in

the land, and indirectly to partially fulfill the objective of the movement by allowing

the formation of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). However, this

brings discomfort to some of the members in the movement. The ‘opposition’ later

creates another separatist Islamic or independent movement because they claimed that

the peace treaties signed and ratified by their leaders is a dead end to their earlier

objectives.

1.3 MILF: STARTING POINT

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Disfavour and disagree with the leader of MNLF to stop the ceasefire and

resorted to peace making agreement between the government and them, Moro Islamic

Liberation Front (MILF) was formed. Lead by Salamat Hassan this new movement

carries the same objectives with the earlier MNLF. Salamat Hassan have a very good

education line in religion, he studied in the Al-Azhar university and almost completed

his PhD. However, because of his love towards the people of Bangsamoro, he left his

study and come back to Philippines to join the MNLF. Later on he left MNL because

he believes that MNLF has been blinded by Philippines actions by giving them the

AMRR. Reluctance of MNLF to launch insurgency to the Government of Philippines

caused the split. This separation can be traces back early in 1980’s when there already

indications that MNLF will accept the Government of the Philippines to stop the

insurgency and giving them the ARMM. Salamat Hassan and his followers disagreed

with this; as they believe that it already disregards the objective of the movement

itself.

Believing that they have the duty to establish an Islamic State independent

from the control of Philippine’s Government and that they capable of doing so, they

split and start their new ambitious movement. MILF activities are rather aggressive

than MNLF. There are many reported activities of MILF that caused death to numbers

of people. It is also reported that they received financial assistance directly from

Osama Bin Laden, though they denied any affiliation with Al-Qaeda. The Jemaah

Islamiah (JI) was also being associated with MILF. Both speculations received denial

from MILF.

1.4 MILF: THE FOUNDER AND THEIR OBJECTIVES 6

6 In the 23rd issue of Nida’ul Islam magazine, http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=495 ,An Interview with the founder of MILF, Salamat Hassan.

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Salamat Hashim was born on 7th July, 1942 in the Municipality of Pagalungan,

Maguindano. He comes from a religious family of seven.Salamat's first teacher was his

mother. It was through her tutorship and guidance that at the age of six he could read the Holy

Qur'an and memorised many of its verses. 7

At the age of six he started formal education, finishing his elementary education in

1954 with honours and his secondary education in 1958 also with honours. In 1958, Salamat

joined the pilgrims from the Philippines for Hajj. He took this opportunity to stay behind and

study in Makkah under the care of Sheikh Zawawi. He attended regularly the halaqat held at

the Masjid al Haram and enrolled at the Madrasat as-Sulatiyah ad-Diniyah.

In 1959, he went to Cairo, which at that time was the centre of political activism in the

Middle East. There, he enrolled at Al-Azhar University. He graduated from al-Azhar's Ma'had

al-Buhuth al-Islamiyyah as-Sanawiyyah in 1963, then enrolling at al-Azhar's college of

Theology for a bachelor's degree program majoring in Aqeedah and Philosophy and graduated

in 1967. Pursuing his scholastic inclination further, he took up his postgraduate courses in the

same university and finished his master's degree in 1969. He completed the academic

requirements for a doctoral degree, but was unable to write his dissertation because he had to

return to the Philippines by then to organise the Moro revolutionary movement.

Salamat was an active student leader. His active participation to different student

activities exposed him to various revolutionary trends, both Islamic and Secular, which Cairo

was known for at that period. This exposure brought him awareness of the colonial oppression

his Muslim brothers and sisters were suffering back home, an awareness which gradually

transformed him from a scholar to an Islamic revolutionary.

7 Syed Sirajul Islam,(2005). The Politics of Identity in South East Asia, Malaysia, Thomson pg 36 &95

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Among the student organisations he took part in are the Philippine Muslim Student

Association and the Organisation of Asian Students in Cairo. He was elected President of the

former and Secretary-General of the latter.

While in Cairo, he clandestinely organised a core group among the Bangsamoro

Muslim students who planned the Bangsamoro revolution in the early sixties. To finance their

early activities, each member contributed half of his meager allowance to a common fund.

It is interesting to note that amongst the revolutionary Muslim thinkers who influenced

Salamat, two Muslim personalities made a lasting impression on him: Syed Qutb and Syed

Abul A'la Maududi. It was, however, Syed Qutb's writings which shaped his Islamic outlook

and political beliefs. The impact that Syed Qutb and Maududi made on him was what inspired

him to plant the seeds of Islamic revolution in the Bangsamoro homeland. 8

As explained earlier the objectives of MILF and MNLF are more or less the same.

Since MNLF in antecedent of MILF, they shared most of the common features. As MNLF no

longer (as asserted by MILF) carries the earlier objectives, MILF take over the ‘mission’ of

freeing the selected areas from Philippines and forming a new government, or Islamic state.

Basically the general objectives of this movement are just the same as any other

Islamic movements which include; to make supreme the words of Allah, to attain Allah’s

pleasure or to please Him by worshipping Him, to strengthen the relationship of man with his

Creator, to strengthen the relationship of man and man and to regain the illegally and

immorally usurped legitimate and inalienable rights of the Bangsamoro people to freedom

and self determination. These general objectives basically according to them can be achieved

8 Syed Sirajul Islam,(2005). The Politics of Identity in South East Asia, Malaysia, Thomson pg 56

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by establishing the independent and Islamic with the implementation of Shari’ah (Islamic

Law).

Salamat also stated that in the interview, MILF is struggle for a better life for the

minority Muslims lived in Philippines as they have been subjected to many discrimination and

unjust treatment by the Philippines Government. As the land of Moro, historically, discovered

and belongs to the Bangsamoro, he argued that all these should not happen. Economically,

Bangsamoro and other Muslims in Philippines are far left behind. There is no fair distribution

of wealth, chances and political autonomy to the Muslims. Even though this discrimination

has not been made part of the policy of the government9 but it can be seen from the treatment

that they received from the government. Muslims in Philippines are minority, as the majorities

are Christian and this eventually leads to improper treatment by the government of Philippines

to them to practice their religion freely. Other difficulties such as difficulty to find work and

to work is not a new thing for the. This, according to Salamat shows the mistreatment of

Philippines government and resulting to dissatisfaction among the Muslims. As said earlier

there is no direct policies by the government to discriminate the Muslims, quoting Abhoud

Syed M. Lingga,

“There is no government policy that clearly discriminate Muslims, but policies

are formulated in response to popular demand. And since majority of the

populations are Christians, policies can be biased in favor of the majority.

There are also policies and programs that are meant to reinforce the position

of government but they work against the interest of the Muslims. For example,

in the name of development Christians from the north were encouraged to

settle in Mindanao resulting to the minoritization of the Muslims in many parts

of their traditional homeland”

9 Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, “Muslim Minority in the Philippines”, paper presented during SEACSN Conferen 2004: “Challenges for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Southeast Asia”, at Shangri-La Hotel, Penang, Malaysia, 12-15 January 2004.

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Therefore, it can be said because of this reason MILF stands and come forward to

‘correct’ the unjust and mistreatment by the government of Philippines. The main objective of

this movement can be said, in simple word to establish an Islamic state in order to regain

justice and good treatment to the Bangsamoro (and other muslims ethnic there).

Besides the general objectives of the organization we have found some reason behind

their uprising. The main reason behind their struggle is the illegal seize or involvement of

their legitimate rights for freedom and self-determination. The Bangsamoro Muslims are the

native inhabitants of the islands of Mindanao, Basilan Sulu and Palawan. They were

independent hundreds of years before the creation of the Philippines by Spain and the USA.

It is worthwhile mentioning that the Philippines has inherited and developed a deep

hatred against Islam and the Muslim people. After colonizing the Bangsamoro homeland, a

systematic design to liquidate Islam and to demolish Islamic identity of the Bangsamoro

Muslims was launched. The following are some of the methods used in the genocide10:

Grabbing Muslim lands.

Establishment of Christian settlements.

Individual and group migration from Luzon and Visayas to the Bangsamoro

homeland.

Systematic killing of individual Muslims.

Group or mass killing of Muslims including women, children and the aged.

Burning Muslim houses, Mosques, Madrasas (Islamic schools), taking

livestock for food or selling, and the destruction of Muslim farms and

orchards.

10 http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/ph2.htm

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1.5 MILF: THE MEMBERS

There is no doubt that Bangsamoro’s determination to achieve independence had

encouraged all of them to unite and to free their land. There were several situations that make

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the youth and students from Moro Island study in mostly Middle-Eastern to form an

organization led by Sheikh Salamat Hashim11. Despite the historical development of the

organization, this organization was separated into two groups. The member of MILF is largely

from the mediocre group of people in Mindanao. They adopted leniency in their approach.

Though MILF has approximately 120,000 men of Islamic Armed Forces (which 80% of them

are well-equip with arm) and about 300,000 militiamen, the purpose of preparing the armed

forces is only for their defense.

In this matter, the contribution of women in struggling to get their rights over their

land is no doubt, even they participated in combat. The MILF’s Social Welfare Committee is

run solely by women from village up to national level. Their population is half of the

Bangsamoro12. They had played significant role in achieving their goal.

MILF, as its objectives concern, had united all level of society in the land of

Mindanao. Men, women and youth have been together fighting for their right over their land.

1.6 MILF: APPROACHES, METHODOLOGIES AND ACTIONS

In order to become an influential movement in Philippines, an organization must have

it aims, methods, and as well as strategies. The aim of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front can

11 The 23rd issue of Nida'ul Islam magazine (http://www.islam.org.au), April - May 199812 MILF Peace Talks with the Philippine Government by Salah Jubair pg 90

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be divided into three main goals which are, firstly is regaining the lost freedom and self

determination. Secondly is to establish of an Islamic State and Government and last but

not least making supreme the word of Allah13. In addition in making dreams come true,

there were several actions took place to achieve their goals as well as prevent any discomfort.

Firstly, in regaining the freedom and self determination, the MILF have done a lot

peaceful agreement and also a series of meeting with the government of republic Philippines.

Even though a lot of efforts have done by the MILF to achieve it aims, the result from that is

look like not totally succeed. The government of republic Philippines does seem not totally

agreed on what the MILF demand from them. According to the MILF leader Shiekh Salamat

Hashim, among the reason why the conflict between MILF and the government of republic

Philippines could not resolve because of the ignorance of the government to solve the main

issues of the problem14. For instance, the Bangsamoro were recognized as the illegal people

on their land instead of being legitimate. It is important to note that the Bangsamoro struggle

for their freedom and self-determination started during the period of Spanish colonialism and

has continued up to the present. The movement became better organized after that from

American period (1898-1946) till Christian – Filipino era (1946 up to the present).

Secondly, MILF want to establish an Islamic State and Government on their own

because they were so much being hatred by the Philippines. It is a mind set of the Philippines

was inherited and develop a deep hatred against Islam and the Muslim people. After they

occupy the Bangsamoro homeland, a systematic design to liquidate Islam and to destroy the

Islamic identity of the Bangsamoro Muslims was launched. Among the method they used for

13 Shamsuddin L. Taya.(2006) The Strategies & Tactics Of The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in The Southern Phillipines,1994-2005: An Organizational Approach.pg83.

14 http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=495

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instance grabbing Muslim lands, establishment of Christian settlements, systematic killing of

individual Muslims, burning Muslims houses, Mosques, Madrasas (Islamic schools), taking

livestock for food or selling, and the destruction of Muslim farms and orchards. In addition

the government also play a role to make a design more destructive with the exploited the

natural resources of the Bangsamoro homeland in order to deprive them from such natural

God-given wealth15. Moreover, according to the MILF leader the government now carrying

out an intensive media onslaught which is accuses the Muslim with crimes against the

Filipino people. For the Bangsamoro Muslim they are strictly following the teaching of Islam

and as such they do not commit any crime16.

Thirdly, in making supreme the word of Allah the Muslim mujahedeen struggle in

making Islam as the respectful religion and spreading the teaching of Islam throughout the

entire Philippines. The support of the Muslim all over the world to the Bangsamoro cause is

very very important and much needed. Perhaps the Bangsamoro struggle for freedom and

self-determination is the longest and bloodiest in the entire history of mankind. The

Bangsamoro people fight against the Spanish invaders for 377 years and against American

intruders for about 40 years and have been fighting Filipino barbarous colonial rule during the

past 52 years. In short, the Bangsamoro people fight about 469 years to preserve their Islamic

faith and identity and to defend their legitimate rights to freedom and self determination. They

have no one to ask for help except Almighty Allah and then the Muslim Ummah, their

brothers in faith17.

15 http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=495

16 Ibid.17http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&pagename=Zone-English-Muslim_Affairs

%2FMAELayout&cid=1156077758111

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Last but not least, were the actions took place by MILF in order to ensure that the

movement is strongly built and it is not easy for others to harm or abolish them. The MILF

come up with the program to be implemented phase by phase in 20- years from 1981 till

2000. This program actually covers all aspects of “Jihad in the way of Allah” and it gives

special attention to Islamization of all aspects of life of the Bangsamoro people, military

build-up, self reliance, strengthening and improvement of organizational, administrative and

managerial capability18. Before the 20-years program expires in the year 2000, the MILF had

already planned a new 50-year program which will start in 2001 and end in 2050. The plan

was approved during the 15th General Assembly of the Moro Islamic Liberation front in

Camp Bushra on December 15, 1997.The new program will continue the previous tasks but

will give special attention to establish justice, to ensure full freedom and respect of human

rights, to overcome criminalities, poverty, ignorance and sickness, to ensure equal opportunity

and equal opportunity and equal rights to earn and live honorably, to ensure the establishment

of equal rights, to overcome grafts and corruption, and last but not least to undertake proper

measures to solve problems.

1.7 MILF: THE SUCCESS

MILF have managed to established propaganda groups and mass mobilization in the

Muslim world and this propaganda groups were able to capture the concern of the

18 http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewarticle.php?articleID=495

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international organizational bodies such as Organization of The Islamic Conference (OIC) and

Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) to influence the Philippine Government as

playing the role as intermediary body to protect over the condition of Muslims in the

Philippines example through Tripoli Agreement.

The Philippines dare not to breach the agreement due to its dependency on OIC and

Middle East countries for oil and labor resources. Hence through this internationalization

factors helped the Moro’s movements in Philippines to boost their image in the Muslim

world.

On the other hand, MILF had successfully organized the Ulamas groups whose goal is

also to establish an Islamic state.19

They impose Sharia law and Islamic courts, including Taliban style “moral police” in

their base area of Camp Abu Bakar.

MILF also influences local politics in the Sulu Archipelago and have strong ties with

local political leaders. They have campaigned for and won elections in the region.

Before the “all out war” in 2000, MILF was able to establish 46 camps in many parts

of Mindanao and Basilan.

1.8 MILF: THE FAILURE

Despite several successes achieved by MILF, there is only one major failure and this

failure makes their success useless: they fail to get freedom from the Government of republic

19 Voices from Moro Land by Peter Kreuzer and Rainer Werning pg 180

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of Philippine. Until today, they still struggle with their fighting to get the freedom. The Moro

Islamic Liberation Front negotiated with the government of Philippine between 1997 and

2000 but did not reach a peace agreement. Hopefully, there will be more success achieved by

them not easily give up.

1.9 MILF: OBSTACLES AND TRIBULATIONS

There were several constrains that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had faced in its

struggle against the occupation by the government of Republic Philippines and its agents.

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This part actually examines only those major constrains encountered by the organization to

achieve it aims. These main obstacles include tribalism, financial constraint and

terrorism20.

One of the challenging constraints faced by all liberation movement in the Southern

Philippines is the issues of tribalism. Bangsamoro composed of 13 tribal groups but three of

them are the most dominant forces, namely Maguidanaon,Tausung, and Maranoa tribes.

These three tribes fight each other for leadership over the Bangsamoro homeland. Historically

the Taugung and Maguindanaon tribes ruled the Southern Philippines trough the Sultanate of

Sulu and Maguidanao21. However, the Maranoa tribe now becoming more aggressive over the

leadership issue, but history seems to obstruct their leadership aspirations over the

Bangsamoro.

Next, MILF confronted seriously was the issues of financial constraint. MILF military

build up which included the purchase of weapons and training of its military personnel were

too expensive for the organization. In addition the movement had insufficient funds for the

mobilization of its workers in order to carry out the MILF’s programs and other activities of

the organization. Sources of income like zakah (poll tax), sadakah (voluntary contribution)

were not sufficient to finance the organization programs and activities. Another source of the

MILF funds was from foreign donors. Before September 11 attack against the United States,

the MILF could easily getting aid without much difficulties from its foreign donors. Mostly

the donors come from the individual who were supporters of the liberation movement22.

Moreover the United State policy of freezing the bank accounts of those suspected terrorist

20 Shamsuddin L. Taya.(2006) The Strategies & Tactics Of The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in The Southern Phillipines,1994-2005: An Organizational Approach.pg.110-115.

21 Ibid.22 Shamsuddin L. Taya.(2006) The Strategies & Tactics Of The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in The Southern Phillipines,1994-2005: An Organizational Approach.pg.110-115.

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and also restricted policy on money transfer had cause a serious blow to the liberation

movement in general and foreign support in particular23.

In addition the United State campaign on terrorism caused a serious problem for the

MILF. It is when the United State sent hundreds of American troops to the Southern

Philippines in its effort to raise war against the so-called terrorist groups. The government of

Republic Philippines took this opportunity to crush the Bangsamoro independence

movements, including the MILF24. As part of the American war against terrorism in 2002, 25

United States Special Forces troops arrived in the Southern Philippines for anti-terrorist

operations. However the MILF again denied those accusations and insisted that those

accusations were merely a plot to portray the MILF as a terrorist organization rather than a

liberation movement. It was true that some members of the organization were influenced by

some elements of the JI and Al-Qaeda. But this was only at the individual level and not

organizational level. This means the top MILF leadership had nothing to do with those

relations.

1.10 MILF: COOPERATION WITH OTHER ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS

MILF had given so much effect to the world’s Islamic organizations because it is

linked and labeled for promoting terrorism. Among others are Abu Sayyaf, Al-Qaeda and

Jemaah Islamiyyah.

23 Ibid.24 Ibid.

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The Abu Sayyaf also known as the Mujahideen Commando Fighters was organized in

the mid 1980’s. This organization grew together with MILF in the context of global Islamic

revivalism. This group was trained under the MNLF. It was organized by two young Muslim

scholars schooled in the Middle-East: Abdulrajak Abubakar Janjalani and Wahab Akbar25.

Abu Sayyaf group is popular with their rebellious and aggressive approaches upon

threatening the Government of Republic of Philippine to declare the Bangsamoro land its

freedom. They had kidnapped tourist in the Sipadan and other resort islands in 199426. They

are also directly linked to Al-Qaeda network as recognized by the Pentagon27.

Links between MILF and Al-Qaeda were forged in the mid 1990s.Al-Qaeda provided

funding and expertise, the MILF brought Al-Qaeda into contact with other Islamic groups in

East Asia.28MILF members trained in Pakistan and fought in Afghanistan in

1980s.Intelligence reports allege that Al Qaeda operatives had based themselves in MILF

camps, and the MILF had received support from Osama Bin Laden. The MILF denies these

allegations. The MILF, in any case, has not been declared a terrorist group by the US.29

The involvement of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) had taken interest in

the resolution of the conflict in the Bangsamoro land. Despite so many representatives,

meetings and conferences done by OIC, the conflict never ended. All these efforts have been

done and never been stopped since the year 197230. On the other hand, MILF still proceeds

with their fight over their rights.

25 THE PHILIPPINE STATE AND MORO RESISTENCE: Dynamics of A Persistent Conflict by Miriam Coronel Ferrer pg 626 Ibid.27 Ibid.

28 Profiles in Terror: The Guide to Middle East Terrorist Organizations  by Aaron Mannes pg 70

29 The Mindanao Conflict by Kamarul Zaman Askandar pg 530 MINDANAO PEACE PROCESS: The Need for A New Formula by Abhoud Syed M. Lingga pg 36

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1.11 MILF: ASSESSMENT ON THE ORGANIZATION

The late MILF chairman Salamat Hashim encourages peace, he said “The most

civilized and practical way to solve the Bangsamoro Problem in Mindanao is through a

negotiated political settlement of this conflict.”There is some proof suggesting that Hashim

had consistently pursued the way of peace. In 1979 he sent official emissaries or

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representatives to discuss peace with no less than President Marcos. He also has signed a

truce agreement in 1987 with President Corazon Aquino and agreed to hold peace

explorations with the National Unification Commission (NUC) organized by President Fidel

Ramos in 1992, and finally to hold formal peace talks in 1977 with the government of

Philippine.

MILF does not seek to topple the Philippine government to change its system. It seeks

to secure a space in Mindanao for the Bangsamoro people where they will be free to exercise

self governance in the light if their belief, historical experience, and acceptable prevailing

democratic norms. Their military defense is more for the purpose of survival or self-defense

rather than a tool for conducting military offensives against government.

MILF does not view their objectives will be achieved only through armed struggle,

thus they give negotiation a more prominent role in their struggle. There is a valid reason why

MILF actively sought war with the government in 2000 and 2003; those were in the nature of

counter-offensive after the government officially declared war upon it.31

MILF fully respect other peoples’ belief and culture. MILF social system will be

founded on the belief that all human beings are equal and constitute one single fraternity,

irrespective of race, color, language, or economic status. MILF encourages and acknowledge

cultural pluralism.

We also found that MILF gave weight to religious consideration and Islamic Imam

(Islamic leaders) and ‘Alim (Islamic scholars) played a prominent role in the organization.

31 Voices from Moro Land by Peter Kreuzer and Rainer Werning pg 68

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1.12 CONCLUSION

As many others organization seeking for freedom in the world, MILF or the Moro

Islamic Liberation Front, should not be linked to the terrorism. Though their methods may be

changed from time to time, the voices of the minority should be listened by the Government

of Republic of Philippine.

Throughout the period of struggling over their land, the Bangsamoro had shown their

remarkable efforts for the freedom. They had never tried to be violence and their objectives

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are very clear that only with peace they could obtain freedom. They have high self-

determination.

Though MILF directly and deliberately linked to Abu Sayyaf, Al-Qaeda and Jemaah

Islamiyyah, with the help from Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), MILF is a unique

organization that fights for freedom in the right means for the sake of the religion and their

land.

Hopefully, their journey of freeing their land will never end. The new and young

generations of Bangsamoro and others should learn something from their predecessors, that

only freedom can give us life and only with peace that we can achieved the ultimate freedom.

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