Under the Crescent Moon: Rebellion in Mindanao By: Marites Danguilan Vitug and Glenda M.

Gloria INTRODUCTION: Jabidah Massacre Marcos Regime: the killings in Corregidor were never explained. *No real investigation took place, except for few Senate and Congressional hearings yielded inconclusive findings. When he declared Martial Law in 1972, Marcos cited the secessionist problem as one of the reasons for his move. In reality, of course, Martial Law had been as exacerbating factor, not the consequence of the MNLF rebellion. FOUR Options to Approach the Muslim Problem 1. He could declare an all-out military war against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and while doing so forge an alliance with the traditional Muslim Families and politicians in the region. 2. On the extreme, he could set up a united front between government and the MNLF. 3. He could bid for time and negotiate. 4. Dialogue was the best option. *Fortunately for Marcos, the Islamic ministers later on decided against the MNLFs call for an independent Muslim State and rejected its request to openly campaign for military support. Tripoli Agreement- the draft compelled the government to appoint Muslims in practically all key government posts and apply shariah laws in local courts. The draft also called for an autonomous economic and political system in the regional government that was to be formed. Paragraph 15- establishment of the provisional government in areas covered by autonomy pact; it was to lay the groundwork for the future establishment of a regional government in the 13 provinces. Paragraph 16- The Philippine government shall undertake all the necessary constitutional processes to implement the entire agreement. Aquinos Administration Regional Consultative Commission- composed of 52 commissioners. Creation of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao If at all, the most significant output of the entire Aquino peace process was the indefinite ceasefire agreement that Misuari signed with the government. But it was a significant achievement. For one, the lull in fighting in Mindanao gave the Aquino government breathing space as it dealt with one military coup after another. The ceasefire agreement that Aquino signed with Misuari in 1987 was to last until Ramos came to power in 1992. AQUINOS GROUNDS FOR NOT ACCOMODATING THE DEMANDS OF THE MNLF DURING THAT TIME 1. The armed group was not the immediate threat to her government at that time, the military rebels were. 2. In 1990, the MNLF was down to more than 13,000 fighters with 8,000 firearms- still a formidable force. But the ceasefire pact had signed with Aquino had a debilitating effect on its men THE MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) Islamic in their ideology unlike the MNLF that had secular bearing. led by Salamat Hasshim They have two camps: Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao and Camp Bushra Lanao del Sur (off limits to the Armed Forces of the Philippines). Has two divisions (regular infantry and the special internal security force) IMPLICATIONS 1. Some Muslims join armed groups, like the MILF, in the name of Jihad. It inspires them to sacrifice their

lives for the cause of religion. It gives them an identity, a status, social support and purpose in life. 2. Young soldiers earned their medals of valor and senior military officers fought for their stars. 3. Counterinsurgency programs were made to appease the insurgents were actually a way of supporting them in support to their cause because of conventional warfare. 4. The Military has been flirting with terrorism. the military preferred to call them dissident terrorist Under the Crescent Moon: Rebellion in Mindanao By: Marites Danguilan Vitug and Glenda M. Gloria INTRODUCTION: Jabidah Massacre Marcos Regime : the killings in Corregidor were never explained. *No real investigation took place, except for few Senate and Congressional hearings yielded inconclusive findings. When he declared Martial Law in 1972, Marcos cited the secessionist problem as one of the reasons for his move. In reality, of course, Martial Law had been as exacerbating factor, not the consequence of the MNLF rebellion. FOUR Options to Approach the Muslim Problem 5. He could declare an all-out military war against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and while doing so forge an alliance with the traditional Muslim Families and politicians in the region. 6. On the extreme, he could set up a united front between government and the MNLF. 7. He could bid for time and negotiate. 8. Dialogue was the best option. *Fortunately for Marcos, the Islamic ministers later on decided against the MNLFs call for an independent Muslim State and rejected its request to openly campaign for military support. Tripoli Agreement- the draft compelled the government to appoint Muslims in practically all key government posts and apply shariah laws in local courts. The draft also called for an autonomous economic and political system in the regional government that was to be formed. Paragraph 15- establishment of the provisional government in areas covered by autonomy pact; it was to lay the groundwork for the future establishment of a regional government in the 13 provinces. Paragraph 16- The Philippine government shall undertake all the necessary constitutional processes to implement the entire agreement. Aquinos Administration Regional Consultative Commission- composed of 52 commissioners. Creation of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao If at all, the most significant output of the entire Aquino peace process was the indefinite ceasefire agreement that Misuari signed with the government. But it was a significant achievement. For one, the lull in fighting in Mindanao gave the Aquino government breathing space as it dealt with one military coup after another. The ceasefire agreement that Aquino signed with Misuari in 1987 was to last until Ramos came to power in 1992. AQUINOS GROUNDS FOR NOT ACCOMODATING THE DEMANDS OF THE MNLF DURING THAT TIME 3. The armed group was not the immediate threat to her government at that time, the military rebels were. 4. In 1990, the MNLF was down to more than 13,000 fighters with 8,000 firearms- still a formidable force. But the ceasefire pact had signed with Aquino had a debilitating effect on its men THE MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) Islamic in their ideology unlike the MNLF that had secular bearing. led by Salamat Hasshim

They have two camps: Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao and Camp Bushra Lanao del Sur (off limits to the Armed Forces of the Philippines). Has two divisions (regular infantry and the special internal security force) IMPLICATIONS 5. Some Muslims join armed groups, like the MILF, in the name of Jihad. It inspires them to sacrifice their lives for the cause of religion. It gives them an identity, a status, social support and purpose in life. 6. Young soldiers earned their medals of valor and senior military officers fought for their stars. 7. Counterinsurgency programs were made to appease the insurgents were actually a way of supporting them in support to their cause because of conventional warfare. 8. The Military has been flirting with terrorism. the military preferred to call them dissident terrorist