AJE reported : Philippines launches offensive against rebels

Published on 27 Jan 2014 | The Philippine army has launched a major offensive against rebels from the Bangsamaro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The assault was launched on Monday, two days after the successful end of negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency that has killed tens of thousands. Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan reports from Sharif Aguak, Mindanao

Philippine Muslims ask for education boost

Published on 19 Oct 2013 | Muslims in the Philippines are asking the government to help their children learn Islam in schools. The country is predominantly Christian. Muslims make up about 15 percent of the population. Now parents are pushing for a new bill that would help boost religious education.

Malaysian-trained MNLF fighters 'on attack' : a blow back?

Published on 15 Mar 2013 : The former head of a Filipino separatist group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), has told Al Jazeera that despite support from Malaysia in the 1960s, some of his fighters have now turned against the Malaysian government. According to Nur Misuari, the MNLF fighters have joined the Royal Army of Sulu, which has been fighting for control of Malaysia's eastern Sabah state. Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan reports from the Philippine capital, Manila, on whether Malaysia's foreign policy in the 1960s has backfired.

MALAYSIA - FOR THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE?

Uploaded by on Oct 15, 2012 : Thumbs up for Malaysia, will there be a lasting peace?

Philippine army clashes with rebels

Twelve people die as troops attack an encampment of Abu Sayyaf fighters on Basilan Island.

26 Jul 2012 

The Philippine army has battled rebels fighting for independence for  more than 30 years [Reuters]

Soldiers have clashed with al-Qaeda-linked fighters in the Philippines' volatile south, leaving eight government troops and four rebels dead, military officials say. Army Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz said the army struck after pinpointing an encampment of Abu Sayyaf fighters early on Thursday in Basilan Island's Sumisip township.  Sporadic fighting continued until afternoon, with reinforcement troops deployed. Officials said the Abu Sayyaf fighters belonged to a group which had attacked rubber plantation workers in Sumisip two weeks ago. Five farm workers and one government militiaman were killed in that attack. On Wednesday, the same group attacked a military detachment securing the rubber planters' co-operative but no soldier was killed or hurt, army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said. The plantation workers' co-operative operating in the area had previously received extortion letters purportedly from the Abu Sayyaf demanding payment of more than $1,000 a month in exchange for not being harmed. For decades, Muslim separatist groups have fought for independence or an autonomous substate in the southern regions they say are their ancestral homelands. Philippine offensives have weakened the fighters but they remain a threat. They are holding several foreign hostages, apparently in an attempt to raise funds for food and weapons in their jungle hideouts. Abu Sayyaf has been linked to the worst attacks in Philippine history, including a ferry bombing that killed more than 100 people in 2004. AJE : Voice of US state dept.

MILF push negotiations

Published on Jul 7, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish : Thousands of supporters and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, pushing for autonomy in the south, have gathered to discuss the waning prospects for peace with the central government. Ibrahim Murad, the movement's chairman, says he is willing to offer concessions but will not give up the right to self government, a demand that would require a constitutional amendment the government is not willing to make. But Murda says the next leadership of the MILF may not be as willing to compromise as he has over the past three years of negotiations.

Philippine rebels slam "snail's pace" of peace talks.

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Islamic History of the Philippines

Uploaded by SuluCurrent on Aug 25, 2010 :

Indonesia to join peace team in South

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Indonesia has indicated its intent to join an international force that is monitoring the peace process between the government and Moro rebels in Mindanao.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia has sent a note to the Philippine embassy in Jakarta on the proposal last March 31.

"The Ministry seeks the kind assistance of the [Philippine] Embassy to provide information regarding the steps required for Indonesia to join the IMT (International Monitoring Team)," stated the diplomatic note.

The inclusion of Indonesia in the IMT, which is currently led by Malaysian troops, as well as those from Libya, Brunei, Japan, Norway and the European Union (EU), is seen to further strengthen efforts in maintaining security in the island, said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Q. Deles.

Manila, she recalled, has offered Jakarta a role in the IMT during the state visit of President Benigno S. C. Aquino III in Indonesia last month.

Indonesia is not coming in cold on the southern peace process.

It chaired the Organization of Islamic Conference-Peace Committee for Southern Philippines, which brokered negotiations and facilitated the eventual signing of a peace deal between the government and Moro National Liberation Front in 1996.

Business World | 13April 2011 -read full report

There seems to be another round of peace talks - imminent!

BRIEF HISTORY OF BANGSAMORO STRUGGLE

Philippines separatists MILF & MNLF

AlJazeeraEnglish | February 10, 2011 - The Phillipines government has resumed peace talks with Muslim separatists in the country's south. A spokesman for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said he is optimistic about negotiating an end to a decades-long conflict.

But as Marga Ortigas reports from the southern Philippines, there is dissention within the MILF itself.

Philippine govt, MILF to form peace pact to end Muslim rebellion after KL talk.

MANILA, Dec. 9  09  |  Xinhua

-- The Philippine government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed Wednesday to negotiate a final peace agreement that is expected to end 40-year Muslim rebellion in Mindanao, southern Philippines.

    

In a joint statement issued at the end of the two-day Malaysian-brokered talks in Kuala Lumpur, both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a "just, enduring, and comprehensive peace in Mindanao."

    

"Step by step, we are inching towards our goal of achieving a just and lasting peace and sustainable development in Mindanao. No step is small towards this noble goal, no task is insignificant in this worthy endeavor," said Rafael Seguis, Philippine foreign affairs undersecretary and chairman of the government peace negotiating panel.

    

Both parties agreed to "continue creating and enabling a secure environment" by renewing the terms of reference for the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

    

The IMT is composed of representatives from the governments of Malaysia, Japan, Brunei, and Libya. It will monitor the ceasefire, humanitarian, rehabilitation, development and civilian protection agreements between the Philippine government and the MILF.

    

Both parties also agreed to expand the membership of the IMT by including foreign and local non government organizations like the International Committee on the Red Cross, the Mindanao People's Caucus, and the Non-Violent Peace Force.

    

The government and MILF negotiating panels also agreed to continue efforts in coordinating the interdiction and isolation of criminal and lawless elements by reviving the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).