Philippines: In Search for Self-Determination. The Political History and Armed Struggle of the Moro National Liberation Front in Mindanao

Abstract

The myriad of Moro insurgent movements in the Philippines could be traced back to the abhorrent memoirs of Spanish occupation. The contemporary armed conflict between the government in Manila and the Moros was highly triggered by the Jabidah massacre in March 1968. The globally-known day of infamy inspired the historical birth of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to start launching the freedom struggle of the oppressed Bangsamoro people of Mindanao against Philippine colonialism under the regime of Dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. The MNLF was formally organized into two parallel structures: one political, the other military. The political wing was composed of a central committee, various bureaus and a system of provincial and village committees. The military wing - the Bangsa Moro Army - had an overall field marshal, provincial field marshals and zone commanders at the municipality level. Several attempts were done in order to halt the skirmishes led by the MNLF. Regardless of the countless skirmishes, assaults and uprisings, the MNLF sees this peaceful way now as a highly possible solution to end the Bangsamoro identity struggle against marginalization, oppression and fight for self-determination.