Moro Islamic Liberation Front

The MILF is the vanguard of the Islamic movement in the Bangsamoro home land in Mindanao, the neighbouring islands. The MILF was opened in 1977 when Hashim Salmat, supported by ethnic Magundanaos from Mindanao. In 1987, the MILF signed an agreement relinquishing its goal of independence for Muslims region and accept the government offer of autonomy. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the next largest faction, refused to accept the accord and initiated a brief offensive that ended in a truce later that month. The Mindanao-based Moro Islamic Liberation Front fields around 2,900 troops.<more information>