General information
Type of Incompatibility: Territory
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: The conflict concerns autonomy or independence for the Moros in the southern Filipino region of Mindanao - consisting of the Mindanao, Sulu, Basilan, and Palewan islands.
Territory: Mindanao
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 1968-05-01
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: Formation of MIM, Declared goal Mindanaos complete independence from the rest of the Philippines. "It called for the outright secession of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan regions from the Philippine control. It also called for a jihad (holy war) to defend the Bangsamoro homeland. ´"
Date of first use of armed force: 1968-01-01
Comment on first use of armed force: In th emonths following MIMs declaration the national government transferred combat ready troops to the province.
Date of first battle related death: 1970-08-20
Comment on first battle related death: 1
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1970-08-20
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1976
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Tripoli Agreement
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 1976-12-23
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
Negotiations under the auspices of the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) were initiated in 1975, when a first round of talks was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The talks broke down, but after a visit by Philippine President Marcos’ wife to Libya, new talks started in Tripoli, Libya on 15 December 1976. On 23 December, the Tripoli Agreement was signed by the government of the Philippines and MNLF.
The Tripoli Agreement included a ceasefire to be declared immediately after the signing of the agreement. A Joint Committee should be formed, consisting of the two parties with the help of the Quadripartite Ministerial Commission (Libya, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Senegal), to supervise the ceasefire agreed upon. A reformation process of the army, in which MNLF troops would join the Philippine Armed Forces, was discussed but the agreement stated that the question should be dealt with at a later stage in the peace process.
Regarding the incompatibility the agreement provided for autonomy in 13 provinces in the southern parts of the Philippines. The authorities of the autonomous region would have the right to set up their own courts and implement Islamic Sharia law in the south. Furthermore, they were given the right to set up their own financial system, a legislative assembly and an executive council. The agreement also regulated Muslim participation and representation in the Supreme Court, the Central government and all other organs of the state.
A complete amnesty was issued for events which took place in the south of the Philippines.
Signatories: Undersecretary of National Defense for Civilian Relations Carmelo Z. Barbero for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines
Chairman Nur Misuari for the Moro National Liberation Front
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Abdusaalam Treki, for the Libyan Arab Republic
Secretary General Amadou Karim Gaye for the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference)
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive agreement signed in Tripoli, Libya on 23 December 1976
Third parties: Libya, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, OIC
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Libya hosted negotiations in December 1976, and served, together with Somalia, Senegal and Saudi Arabia (these four countries together formed the Quadripartite Ministerial Commission), as mediators. The Libyan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Abdusaalam Treki signed the agreement together with Amadou Karim Gaye, Secretary General of the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference). The agreement stated that a Joint Committee should be formed, consisting of the two parties with the help of the Quadripartite Ministerial Commission, to supervise the ceasefire agreed upon.
Ended: True
Date agreement ended: 1977-05-22
Comment of Duration: Talks were held between February and April 1977 in order to agree on the details of the Tripoli Agreement signed on 23 December 1976. On 1 May, talks broke down and both parties blamed each other of trying to discard the agreement. During an Islamic Conference meeting between 16-22 May, MNLF leader Nur Misuari said in an interview with Le Monde that MNLF had decided to revert to its original demand for total independence in Mindanao. He stated that MNLF was ready to continue fighting.
The agreement held for 4 months and 29 days.
Full-text peace agreement
1977
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1978
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1979
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1980
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1981
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1982
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1983
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1984
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1985
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1986
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1987
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Jeddah Accord
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 1987-01-04
Comment of peace agreement: Peace process agreement
Negotiations under the auspices of the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) were first initiated in 1975, when talks were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The talks broke down, but after a visit by Philippine President Marcos’ wife to Libya, new talks started in Tripoli, Libya on 15 December 1976. On 23 December, the Tripoli Agreement was signed by the government of the Philippines and MNLF. Negotiations continued in early 1977, but eventually broke down and did not restart until in 1986, when the parties agreed on a ceasefire and for OIC-sponsored talks to take place in 1987. On 1 January 1987, negotiations opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and on 3-4 January, the Jeddah Accord was signed.
In the Accord, the parties agreed to continue discussion of full autonomy to the region of Mindanao. The Accord provided for a Joint Commission to be set up to “discuss and draft the mechanism and details of the proposal for the grant of full autonomy to Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan subject to democratic processes.” The Commission was supposed to consist of three members from each party and an initial meeting was planned to take place in Manila on 9 February. The Accord also included a ceasefire agreement and plans for a committee to be set up in order to monitor and implement this ceasefire.
Signatories: For MNLF: Nur Misuari, leader of MNLF and chairman of the MNLF panel; Joseph B. Banghulot.
For the government of the Philippines: Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Presidential adviser and chairman of the government panel; Agapito A. Aquino Senator of the Philippines.
For OIC: Syed Shariffuddin Pirzada, Secretary General of OIC
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive agreement
The Jeddah Accord was signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 3-4 January 1987, under the auspices of OIC.
Third parties: OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference)
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: OIC hosted the negotiations in Saudi Arabia and served as mediators in the talks.
Ended: True
Date agreement ended: 1987-07-28
Comment of Duration: The Jeddah Accord was followed by talks in Manila in February and March and again in Jeddah in July. Although the talks seemed promising at first, with MNLF leader Nur Misuari announcing that he was willing to accept full autonomy rather than to fight for independence, negotiations eventually broke down and on 28 July Misuari ordered his fighters to resume the armed struggle.
The agreement held for six months and 24 days.
Full-text peace agreement
1988
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1989
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 115 |
| Best | 115 |
| Low | 115 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1990
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MILF, MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 141 |
| Best | 141 |
| Low | 141 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1991
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1992
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1993
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MNLF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 178 |
| Best | 154 |
| Low | 154 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Statement of Understanding (Cipanas Understanding)
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 1993-04-16
Comment of peace agreement: Peace process agreement
This agreement came after the Second Round of Exploratory Talks held in Indonesia between the Government of Philippines and MNLF. The talks were proposed to determine modalities for implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement. This agreement set the time, date, and agenda for formal talks between the parties.
With regard to the incompatibility, the agreement continued the process set forth through the Tripoli Agreement to defined the autonomous region in Mindinao, addressing the grievances of the indigenous Muslim population, the Moro.
Signatories: GRP Panel: Eduardo R. Ermita, S. Wiryono, Diretor for Political Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia representing the OIC Ministerial Committee of Six
MNLF Panel: Nur Misuar, Ibrahim Saleh Bakr, Deputy Secretary General for Political, Legal and Minority Affairs, OIC, representing the Secretary General of the OIC
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Istana Presiden, Chipanas, West Java, Indonesia on 16 April 1993.
Agreement signed without MILF.
Third parties: OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference), Indonesia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The Indonesian Government hosted the talks and represented the OIC Ministerial Committee of Six, which helped facilitated the process.
Comment of Duration: On 25 October formal peace negotiations started in Jakarta between the MNLF and the government.
Full-text peace agreement
1994
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 224 |
| Best | 207 |
| Low | 207 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1995
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 122 |
| Best | 116 |
| Low | 116 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1996
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 189 |
| Best | 185 |
| Low | 185 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Final agreement on the implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 1996-09-02
Comment of peace agreement: Full peace agreement
Also called the GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement or the Jakarta Accord. The agreement links back to the Tripoli Agreement of 1976 and the autonomous process outlined in that agreement that never materialized. It also refers to previous statements of understanding signed during the peace process in Tripoli 1992, and West Java 1993.
The agreement contained no formal ceasefire, but contained extensive reforms and restructuring of the armed forces of the Philippine’s military and police forces. A specific number of vacancies were made available in both these branches of the armed forces to allow for MNLF integration. The rank and file as well as the commanding officers were to be integrated. An arrangement for the social reintegration and economic development of those demobilized was also established.
The peace plan itself contained two phases; in the first a special zone of Peace and Development would be created to channel funds to the conflict affected areas. In the second phase a new Regional Autonomous Government would be formed if it were approved by a plebiscite in the concerned areas. The autonomous region would receive far-reaching self-governing powers with its own assembly, fiscal independence and influence in the cultural and educational spheres, among other things.
Signatories: Manuel T. Yan (Government of the Philippines Peace Panel Chairman, Ambassador in Indonesia),
Nur Misauri (MNLF),
Ali Alatas (Minister for Foreign Affairs in Indonesia, Chairman of the OIC Ministerial Committee of the Six),
Hamid Al-Gabid (Secreatry-General of the OIC)
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
The agreement mentions the importance of the mediators during the negotiations. Firstly and foremost, of course, the delegates of the OIC, and the OIC Ministerial Committee of the Six and its composition of delegates from Indonesia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Senegal, and Somalia.
Full-text peace agreement
1997
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 348 |
| Best | 270 |
| Low | 230 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1998
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 93 |
| Best | 93 |
| Low | 93 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1999
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 150 |
| Best | 112 |
| Low | 79 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2000
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1563 |
| Best | 1431 |
| Low | 1409 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2001
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF, MNLF - NM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 938 |
| Best | 866 |
| Low | 585 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Agreement on Peace between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2001-06-22
Comment of peace agreement: Peace process agreement
"The Agreement on Peace between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front" reaffirmed earlier agreements signed between the parties.
The agreement urged the parties to promptly end armed hostilities and to pursue peace talks towards finding a peaceful resolution to the Mindanao problem.
Signatories: For the GRP: JESUS G. DUREZA Chairman, GRP Peace Panel
For the MILF: AL HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM Chairman, MILF Peace Panel
Witnessed by: SAIF AL ISLAM GADDAFI Chairman of the Gaddafi International Foundation for Charitable Associations
Comment of signatories: Dyadic agreement
Comment of Duration: Clashes between the parties continued but both sides stated that they were willing to continue the negotiations. The parties met in October 2001, enforcing the ceasefire but heavy clashes continued. Both sides referred to them as ceasefire violations. Talk continued in January 2002 and on 11 February 2002 they agreed to set up ceasefire teams in at least 11 provinces in the southern island of Mindanao to monitor and record truce violations by combatants from both sides. When direct negotiations were suspended as a consequence of the violence, back door talks continued and none of the parties openly left the agreement. In a joint statement in March 2003 the government and MILF agreed to uphold previous agreements.
Full-text peace agreement
2002
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 455 |
| Best | 404 |
| Low | 404 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2003
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
Comment on Dimension: The military involvement by troops from the US was not clear-cut enough to reach the criteria of foreign involvement. The Filipino constitution bans foreign troops from going into combat and the American troops are supposed to be in the Philippines to train the Philippine military.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1036 |
| Best | 820 |
| Low | 695 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2004
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
Comment on Dimension: The armed conflict is intrastate and without clear foreign involvement. The American troops present in the Southern Philippines to train Philippine soldiers to combat Abu Sayyaf rebels have not been involved in any clashes with the opposition groups. Thus, the US cannot be considered a secondary warring party.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 99 |
| Best | 69 |
| Low | 66 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2005
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF, MNLF - NM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 287 |
| Best | 236 |
| Low | 233 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Consensus Points on the Strands on Concept, Territory Resources, and Governance at TWG level
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2005-04-20
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This consensus was part of peace talks in 2005 and built on agreements relating to the Bangsamoro homeland. The parties come to some decisions and agree to make further decisions with regard to questions on territory and resources to the Bangsamoro people. It refered governance issues to a future panel.
With regard to the incompatibility, the agreement continues to recognize the rights to idenity and to move toward addressing the grievances of the Bangsamoro people.
On the question of territory, the agreement demarcates bodies of water and the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to be part of the Bangsamoro ancestral domain and homeland. The parties refer discussion on authority over natural resources to the Panels, as is the question of governance.
Signatories: For the GRP-TWG: Prof. Rudy Rodil GRP-TWG Chair
For the MILF-TWG: Atty. Musib Buat MILF-TWG Chair
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Istana Presiden, Chipanas, West Java, Indonesia on 20 April 2005.
Agreement signed without MNLF.
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Though not a signatory, Malaysia facilitated the peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
2006
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 145 |
| Best | 66 |
| Low | 66 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Joint Statement: Joint GRP-MILF- Technical Working Groups on Goverance of the Ancestral Domain Aspect of the Agreement of Peace of 2001
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2006-02-06
Comment of peace agreement: Peace process agreement
The agreement resulted from the 10th Exploratory Talks between the Government of the Philippines and MILF. Parties affirmed agreements from the 9th session having to do with ancestral domain aspect of the 2001 peace agreement. They agreed to submit the decision to their Technical Committees for consolidation.
With regard to the incompatibility, the agreement continues to move toward addressing the grievances of the Bangsamoro people.
Signatories: Government: ACSP Leah C. Tanodra-Armamento, ADG Zenonida Brosas, Atty. Manuel B. Ibanez, Jr.
MILF: Atty, Musib Buat, Prof. Alpha Amirulhadj, Datu Ismail V. Mastura
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Port Dickson, Malaysia on 6 February 2006.
Agreement signed without MNLF.
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Though not a signatory, Malaysia facilitated the peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Joint Statement
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2006-02-07
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
After the 10th round of Exploratory Talks between the Government of the Philippines and MILF, the parties reached further agreement points related to the ancestral domain issue related to the Tripoli Agreement of 2001. Parties reached a consensus on Bangsamoro people's determination of homeland, measures to address grievances, and the right to development ancestral domain and land, economic coopration.
With regard to the incompatibility, the agreement continues to move toward addressing the grievances of the Bangsamoro people.
Signatories: Government: Silvestre C. Afable, JR.
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Port Dickson, Malaysia on 7 February 2006.
Agreement signed without MNLF.
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Though not a signatory, Malaysia facilitated the peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Joint Statement (Joint Meeting of the GRP and MILF Technical Working Groups on Resources)
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2006-02-07
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
Resulting from a meeting of the Technical Working Groups on Resources as part of the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and MILF, this agreement reaffirms and builds on the Consensus Points on Resources of 2005.
With regard to the incompatibility, this agreement provides for acknowledgement of grievances of the Bangsamoro people and continues the process of addresses these issues, namely that of autonomous territory.
The agreement provides for local jurisdiction and states that laws and guidelines in place in the Bangsamoro homeland should remain as such until modified.
Signatories: Government: ASEC Matanog M. Mapandi, Chairman, Dep. Exec. Bir. Ali B. Sangki, Datu Al S. Saliling
MILF: Datu Antonio P. Kinoc, Chairman, Amor B. Pendaliday, Sultan Liwalug B Dimapunung
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Port Dickson, Malaysia on 7 February 2006.
Agreement signed without MNLF.
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Though not a signatory, Malaysia facilitated the peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
2007
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF, MNLF - HM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 326 |
| Best | 307 |
| Low | 307 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2008
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 630 |
| Best | 320 |
| Low | 320 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2009
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 565 |
| Best | 534 |
| Low | 518 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2010
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 88 |
| Best | 76 |
| Low | 76 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2011
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 171 |
| Best | 146 |
| Low | 146 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2012
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, BIFM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 139 |
| Best | 114 |
| Low | 108 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Government of the Philippines-MILF Decision Points on Principles as of April 2012
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2012-04-24
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This agreement sets principles to guide further negotiations. It establishes the need for a new autonomous political entity to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and commits to continued negotiations. The parties agreed to power- and wealth-sharing provisions, the creation of a monitoring body, and basic rights for all citizens.
Signatories: Government: Marvic MVF Leonen
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Witnessed by: Tengku Dato´Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed Malaysian Facilitator
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 24 April 2012.
Agreement signed without MNLF.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia facilitated the peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2012-10-15
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
Peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and MILF in 2012 resulted in the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro. The agreement establishes Bangsamoro as a new autonomous political entity and the Basic Law as its governing principles. The Bangsamoro government is granted power- and wealth-sharing with the Central Government. An electoral system is called for to establish a ministerial form of government in Bangsamoro, and the core territory and related provisions are agreed upon. Basic rights are established to be ensured by the Central Government and Bansamoro Government. A transition period is outlined for implementation of the agreement.
Regarding the incompatibility, this agreement acknowledges and addresses grievances of the Bagsamoro people and creates a new autonomous political entity.
It is noted that a splinter group from MILF called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) renounced the peace agreement and clashed with the government on several occasions.
Signatories: Government: Marvic MVF Leonen
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Witnessed by: Tengku Dato. Ab Ghafar bin Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator
In the presence of:
Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines
Dato' Sri Hj. Mohd Najib Bin Tun Hj. Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia
Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement done and initialed in in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 12 October 2012. Signed in Manila, Philippines on the 15 October 2012.
Agreement signed without MNLF.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met once a month from January to October in negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the “Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Manila on 15 October.
Full-text peace agreement
2013
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, BIFM, MNLF - NM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 417 |
| Best | 351 |
| Low | 351 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2013-02-27
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
Four annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) remained to be hammered out in the beginning of 2013. During the negotiations in February, the first of them was signed. This annex to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro provides modalities and arrangements for the transition process. It clarifies composition of the Transition Commission, scope of work, and the extent and limit of powers.
Regarding the incompatibility the agreement provided for the TC to formulate the Basic Law to be implemented in the new Bangsamoro territory. The agreement also provided for the creation of a MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), tasked with preparing for the transition to the ministerial government in the Bangsamoro. The BTA was designed to function as an interim Bangsamoro government until a government had been elected in 2016. To monitor the implementation of all agreements, the annex provided for the creation of a Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT).
Signatories: Government: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Signed in the presence of: Tengku Dato' Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator
Comment of signatories: Dyadic agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur on 27 February 2013.
Representatives from the other active rebel groups were not included in the negotiations or the peace agreement.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in several rounds of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the " Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)" together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government in Kuala Lumpur on 27 February.
Ended: True
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth-sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2013-07-13
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
Four annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) remained to be hammered out in the beginning of 2013. During the negotiations in July, the second one of them was signed. This annex to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro provides details reguarding revenue generation and wealth sharing. It recognizes the need for economic gains to advance development goals in Bangsamoro and specifies fiscal powers for Bangsamoro. It includes a section that funding should be allocated in accordance with a gender and development plan.
Regarding the incompatibility the agreement confirmed that wealth creation is an important issue for the Bangsamoro territory given that it is one of the most underdeveloped in the country. The parties agreed to devolve government powers in order for the Bangsamoro government to attain fiscal autonomy. The agreement gave the Bangsamoro right to a 75% share of the central government taxes, charges and fees collected in the Bangsamoro, as well as 100% of the revenue from non-metallic minerals and 75% of the revenue from metallic minerals in the Bangsamoro territory. Grants from donors were to be received directly by the Bangsamoro government.
Signatories: Government: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Signed in the presence of: Tengku Dato' Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator
Comment of signatories: Dyadic agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur on 13 July 2013.
Representatives from the other active rebel groups were not included in the negotiations or the peace agreement.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in several rounds of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the “Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth-sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)" together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government in Kuala Lumpur on 13 July.
Ended: True
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Annex on Power-Sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2013-12-08
Comment of peace agreement: Partial Peace Agreement
Four annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) remained to be completed by the beginning of 2013. This annex to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro provides details about competencies and authorities for power-sharing between the Government of the Philippines and the Bangsomoro Government. It includes governing aspects on intergovernmental relations, governance structure, delineation of powers, and other matters such as taxation and natural resources.
The issue of power-sharing was one of the most contentious, with the rebels seeking greater authority over the Bangsamoro territory. Regarding the incompatibility the agreement contained details about the authorities of the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government. The agreement stated that the Bangsamoro shall have a democratically-elected ministerial form of government.
While the central government retained their authority within the areas of external security, foreign policy, monetary policy, citizenship and immigration, the Bangsamoro Ministerial Government was granted authority over numerous issues relating to the Bangsamoro territory including the establishment of Shari’ah courts, social services, education, culture and language.
Signatories: Government: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Signed in the presence of: Tengku Dato' Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator
Comment of signatories: Dyadic agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur on 8 December 2013.
Representatives from the other active rebel groups were not included in the negotiations or the peace agreement.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in several rounds of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the “Annex on Power-Sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)" together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government in Kuala Lumpur on 8 December.
Ended: True
Full-text peace agreement
2014
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, BIFM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 291 |
| Best | 282 |
| Low | 278 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Addendum on the Bangsamoro Waters and Zones of Joint Cooperation
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2014-01-25
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
During 2012 and 2013 the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and three of its four annexes were signed. In January 2014 the fourth and final annex was signed. During the January meeting the parties also signed an addendum to the “Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing” and the “Annex on Power Sharing”, regulating the Bangsamoro Waters. This addendum provides details about the Bangsamoro waters by specifying borders to do with water territories and establishes Zones of Joint Cooperation.
Regarding the incompatibility the agreement provided details for the Bangsamoro territory, more specifically for the Bangsamoro waters. The Bangsamoro Waters shall extend up to 12 nautical miles from the low-water mark of the coasts that are part of the Bangsamoro territory. The agreement also stated that there should be Zones of Joint Cooperation in the Sulu Sea and the Moro Gulf, and that the delineation of both the Bangsamoro Waters and the Zones of Joint Cooperation shall be determined in the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
To ensure cooperation and coordination, a Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation shall be created.
Signatories: Government: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Signed in the presence of: Tengku Dato' Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator
Comment of signatories: Dyadic agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur on 25 January 2014.
Representatives from the other active rebel groups were not included in the negotiations or the peace agreement.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in several rounds of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the " Addendum on the Bangsamoro Waters and Zones of Joint Cooperation" together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government in Kuala Lumpur on 25 January.
Ended: True
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Annex on Normalization
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2014-01-25
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This was the final annex to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro, completed during the beginning of 2014. It stipulated the rules for the decommissioning process and provided for the creation of several joint committees. It includes policing responsibilities of both Central and Bangsamoro forces, and creates other bodies to support peace and security normalization efforts. Other security provisions also address the redeployment of AFP troops and demining. Amnesty and pardons are provided for crimes connected to the conflict in Mindanao. The agreement further stipulates development processes and creates a Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
The decommissioning process is aimed at “achieving a smooth transition for the BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces) members to productive civilian life”. An Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) is to be created to oversee the process, composed of three foreign experts and four local experts. The agreement includes amnesty to MILF members charged with or convicted of crimes connected to the conflict in Mindanao.
Regarding the incompatibility the agreement provided for the creation of the police force for the Bangsamoro and an Independent Commission on Policing tasked with advising the new Bangsamoro police force. The Bangsamoro Transitional Authority is to elect the head of the police force, after recommendations from the Philippine National Police.
To monitor and enable the normalization process, the Annex on Normalization provided for the creation of a Joint Normalization Committee, and a Joint Peace and Security Committee. Furthermore, the agreement provided for the creation of a Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
Signatories: Government: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal
Signed in the presence of: Tengku Dato' Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur on 25 January 2014.
Representatives from the other active rebel groups were not included in the negotiations or the peace agreement.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in several rounds of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the "Annex on Normalization" together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government in Kuala Lumpur on 25 January.
Ended: True
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2014-03-27
Comment of peace agreement: Full peace agreement
The peace process between the Government of the Philippines and MILF began in 1997, continued under the facilitation of Malaysia in 2001. During 2012 and 2013 the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and three of its four annexes were signed. In January 2014 the fourth and final annex was signed and in March 2014, during a ceremony in the presidential palace, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed. The CAB consolidated and affirmed the agreements already signed by the parties, including the 2001 Agreement on Peace, 2012 Decision Points on Principles, 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro, 2013 Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, 2013 Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth-sharing, 2013 Annex on Power-Sharing, 2014 Addendum on the Bangsamoro Waters and Zones of Joint Cooperation, and 2014 Annex on Normalization. The Comprehensive Agreement marked the end of the armed conflict between the government of the Philippines and MILF.
With regard to the incompatibility, the agreement acknowledges the grievances of the Bangsamoro people and commits to the establishment of a new Bangsamoro political entity. The agreement ends armed hostilities and provides for negotiated settlement. Parties commit to respecting the rights of Bangsamoro people, reduce inequalities, correct historical injustice, and remove cultural inequities.
When all agreements of the CAB have been fully implemented, the parties shall sign an Exit Agreement.
Signatories: Government: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Senen C. Bacani, Yasmin Busran-Lao, Mehol K. Sadain, Zenonida Brosas
MILF: Mohagher Iqbal, Datu Michael Mastura, Maulana "Bobby" Alonto, Abhoud Syed Lingga, Abdulla Camilian, Datu Antonio Kinoc
Witnessed by: Tengku Dato' Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, Malaysian Facilitator
Signed in the presence of: Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Chair of the MILF; Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President, Philippines; Dato' Sri Hj. Mohd Najib Bin Tun Hj. Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia
Comment of signatories: Dyadic agreement signed in Manila on 27 March 2014.
Representatives from the other active rebel groups were not included in the negotiations or the peace agreement.
Third parties: Malaysia
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Malaysia hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in several rounds of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the " Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)" together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government in Manila on 27 March.
Although not signatories, other parties are acknowledged in the agreement as playing a role in the peace process:
Members of the International Contact Group: Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UK, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Community of Sant'Egidio, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah, and the Asia Foundation
Members of the International Monitoring Team: Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Noway, EU, and the Civilian Protection Component comprised of the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center, Mindanao People's Caucus, Moslem Organization of Government Officials and Professionals, and Nonviolent Peaceforce
Organization of Islamic Cooperation as observer
Third Party Monitoring Team: EU, the Asia Foundation, Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation, two leaders of local civil society organizations
Independent Commission on Policing: international experts from Canada, Australia, Japan, and local experts
Comment of Duration: In spite of the peace agreement signed in 2014, fighting between the government and MILF erupted in January 2015 shattering the three-year ceasefire. The passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the Philippine Congress was delayed several times during the year and by the end of 2015, the peace agreement still was not implemented. The government of the Philippines and MILF met in Malaysia in February, May, and August 2016. The talks resulted in an extended ceasefire (until March 2017), and a Declaration of Continuity of the Partnership in the peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
2015
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, BIFM, MILF
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 573 |
| Best | 412 |
| Low | 402 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2016
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - al-Harakat al-Islamiyah, ASG, BIFM, Maute group
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 358 |
| Best | 312 |
| Low | 283 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2017
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG
Secondary Warring Parties Side A: Government of Malaysia
Dimension: Internationalized intrastate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 94 |
| Best | 88 |
| Low | 88 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2018
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG, BIFM-K
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 83 |
| Best | 83 |
| Low | 83 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2019
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 39 |
| Best | 39 |
| Low | 39 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2020
Primary Parties: Government of Philippines - ASG
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 110 |
| Best | 109 |
| Low | 109 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2021
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 26 |
| Best | 26 |
| Low | 26 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2022
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 21 |
| Best | 21 |
| Low | 21 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2023
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2024
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 20 |
| Best | 20 |
| Low | 20 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2025
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 9 |
| Best | 9 |
| Low | 9 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In January, the parties met in peace talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia under the auspices of the Islamic Conference. No progress was reported, and violence continued. Following reports in March that thousands of rebels were massing on Basilan and Tawi-Tawi islands the government launched counter-insurgency operations in the area.
In May, a new round of peace talks was held, and in August the government claimed that the parties had agreed on a ceasefire. However, this was contested by spokesmen from MNLF and fighting continued.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Negotiations were initiated in January 1975 in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The talks broke down, and in April, the government instigated talks in the Philippine city of Zamboanga city with representatives of 27 Muslim groups. MNLF boycotted the meeting and stated that the talks in Zamboanga were a violation of the agreement stipulating that negotiations should be hosted by the Islamic Conference in Jeddah.
In April, the government announced that they agreed to integrate MNLF members into the armed forces, and in May a new round of talks was held in the southern city of Marawi.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: OIC hosted peace talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in January 1975. The OIC Secretariat also met in June to outline the work to resume negotiations between the parties.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1976 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: A severe earthquake in August 1976, resulted in a “state of calamity” being declared in the southern Philippines. Fighting decreased and in November, the President’s wife visited Libya to discuss the Muslim insurgency in Mindanao. Libya agreed to host peace talks, which opened in Tripoli on 15 December. On 23 December, the Tripoli agreement was signed, providing for autonomy in 13 provinces in the southern parts of the Philippines. The agreement also included a declaration of ceasefire and an amnesty in the areas of autonomy.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In November, the President’s wife visited Libya to discuss the Muslim insurgency in Mindanao. Libya agreed to host peace talks, which opened in Tripoli on 15 December. On 23 December, the Tripoli agreement was signed, providing for autonomy in 13 provinces in the southern parts of the Philippines. The agreement also included a declaration of ceasefire and an amnesty in the areas of autonomy.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Libya, Somalia, Senegal and Saudi Arabia (all members of Organization of Islamic Conference)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Libya hosted negotiations in December 1976, and served, together with Somalia, Senegal and Saudi Arabia, as mediators.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1977 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The ceasefire agreed upon in December 1976, gradually broke down in 1977. In February, new talks opened in Tripoli, but by early March, they had not resulted in any progress and were suspended. After talks with Libyan President Quaddafi, President Marcos on 26 March declared 13 southern states autonomous in line with the Tripoli agreement signed on 23 December 1977. On 17 April a referendum was held, but MNLF boycotted it on the grounds that no such consultation had been included in the Tripoli agreement. 93,9 percent of the votes that were cast rejected autonomy. The regional government remained in place in spite of the result from the referendum, although MNLF refused to participate in it. In late April talks resumed, but broke down again in early May as both sides accused each other of trying to discard the Tripoli agreement. In late May, President Marcos announced that he was willing to go to Mindanao to negotiate directly with MNLF.
After a landmine attack performed by MNLF on the island of Basilan in September, the armed forces launched a ground, air and naval offensive against the rebels on the islands of Basilan and Jolo.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: In February 1978, the Defence Ministry reported that more than 800 people had been killed in clashes during 1977.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In February, new talks opened in Tripoli, but by early March, they had not resulted in any progress and were suspended. After talks with Libyan President Quaddafi, President Marcos on 26 March declared 13 southern states autonomous in line with the Tripoli agreement signed on 23 December 1977. On 17 April a referendum was held, but MNLF boycotted it on the grounds that no such consultation had been included in the Tripoli agreement. 93,9 percent of the votes that were cast rejected autonomy. The regional government remained in place in spite of the result from the referendum, although MNLF refused to participate in it. In late April talks resumed, but broke down again in early May as both sides accused each other of trying to discard the Tripoli agreement. In late May, President Marcos announced that he was willing to go to Mindanao to negotiate directly with MNLF.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Libya, Somalia, Senegal and Saudi Arabia
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Libya hosted talks in Tripoli during 1977. On 15 January, representatives from Libya, Somalia, Senegal and Saudi Arabia arrived in the Philippines to supervise the ceasefire agreed upon in the Tripoli agreement signed on 23 December 1976.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1978 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The problematic implementation of the Tripoli agreement signed in 1976 caused a split between the head of the MNLF political committee, Hashim Salamat and the president of the MNLF central committee, Nur Misuari. Negotiations were hampered during 1978 due to the leadership problems as the government chose to meet with Salamat rather than Misuari.
In April 1978, the first elections to the National Assembly since martial law was imposed in 1972, were held. The martial law ban on political parties was lifted in January, and candidates from 26 parties contested the elections. President Marcos’ party won 152 of the 165 seats.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: The government met Hasim Salamat in negotiations. However, it is not clear if he can be seen as a representative of MNLF as he reportedly split from Nur Misuari, the President of the MNLF central committee in early 1978.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: OIC continued their efforts to seek a solution to the conflict in Mindanao.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1979 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In May 1979, the government arranged elections to the two regional assemblies covering southern and western Mindanao. MNLF boycotted the elections. The problems with MNLF leadership persisted in 1979, as there were three factions of the group. The main faction, under the leadership of Nur Misuari, was supported by Libya while the faction under Hashim Salamat was supported by Egypt. The third faction received support from Saudi Arabia. The government continued the negotiations with the Salamat faction in Cairo.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: The government continued the negotiations with the Salamat faction in Cairo. However, as it was in conflict with the main faction under Nur Misuari, Salamat cannot be seen as a representative of MNLF.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1980 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 1980, fighting decreased somewhat as the government focused on giving development aid to Mindanao and granted amnesties for those rebels who surrendered. MNLF was also weakened by the persisting internal strives.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Negotiations were scheduled to take place in late 1980 in Jakarta, Indonesia. However, no talks were initiated.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1981 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In early 1981, fighting intensified once again. Negotiations were planned to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia in late 1980, but in 1981 talks still had not started. The leadership issues in MNLF persisted, but although both Misuari and Salamat claimed to represent a majority of the guerrillas, Salamat eventually acknowledged that Misuari had to be included in peace talks. During the year, MNLF carried out several joint attacks with the Communist guerrilla group CPP in the southern island of Mindanao.
In January 1981, President Marcos announced that martial law, imposed in 1972, would be lifted. His legislative powers were transferred to the National Assembly elected in 1978. He also announced presidential elections to be held in June, the first ones since 1969. Marcos won the elections, and began a new six-year term of office.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Negotiations were planned to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia in late 1980, but in 1981 talks still had not started.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1982 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In March 1982, Philippine President Marcos opened a Philippine Sharia Institute to educate lawyers for the administration of Muslim law in the autonomous areas in Mindanao. In June, elections were held to the regional assemblies, but MNLF boycotted the elections and the turnout was low.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1983 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1984 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Following the assassination of opposition leader Aquino in 1983, the government was weakened and the Philippine guerrilla groups took advantage of the situation. In early 1984, MNLF performed several attacks and in March, the government forces launched an offensive against guerrillas in the province of Davao del Norte on the island of Mindanao. The MNLF faction under the leadership of Hashim Salamat, which had called itself the “New MNLF” since the split in 1977, announced that its name was MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front)
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1985 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1986 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In November 1985, President Marcos had announced his intention to hold presidential elections in early 1986. On 7 February elections were held. Both the sitting President Marcos and his opponent Corazon Aquino declared themselves winners and rumours about electoral fraud started to appear. Thousands of people poured the streets expressing their support for Aquino and military units, under the leadership of the Defence Minister, occupied the military headquarters in Manila. On 25 February, both Marcos and Aquino were sworn in as President in different parts of Manila. Marcos eventually realised that the opposition was too strong and left the country.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In March, talks were held between two factions of MNLF and the government in Manila. The main faction under the leadership of Nur Misuari did not participate, but it was reported that he might join the negotiations at a later stage. The talks broke down without any progress being reported.
In September, President Aquino flew to Jolo Island for talks with Misuari. The parties reportedly agreed on a ceasefire and to meet in OIC-sponsored negotiations before the end of the year. The next round of negotiations took place in early January 1987.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1987 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In January, negotiations were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They were followed by talks in Manila in February and March and again in Jeddah in July. Although the talks seemed promising at first, with MNLF leader Nur Misuari announcing that he was willing to accept full autonomy rather than to fight for independence, negotiations eventually broke down and Misuari ordered his fighters to resume the armed struggle.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: OIC hosted the negotiations in Saudi Arabia and served as mediators in the talks.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1988 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1989 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: On several occasions there were breaches of the ceasefire that had been in place since 1987.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: After the largest incident, which killed 43 people in February, official sources claimed that both MNLF and MILF troops had been involved.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: In August, the congress voted for the creation of the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), with a plebiscite scheduled later in the year. Both MNLF and MILF boycotted the plebiscite about proposed autonomy on 19 November. Afterwards, when it became official that only 4 of the 13 provinces and 9 cities had voted for autonomy, MNLF claimed that the voting had been rigged.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1990 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: There were also reports on fighting between different Moro groups and clans. Due to the problems within the military (see Philippines government conflict), no coordinated offensives were launched.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 1990-12-31
1991 Conflict Archive
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1992 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Some activity was recorded, but the conflict did not meet the threshold of 25 fatalities. The repeated kidnappings continued to make the news.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: After winning the presidential elections, newly elected Fidel Ramos instated the NUC (National Unification Commission) to find a solution to the various Filipino conflicts. After a request by the government, exploratory talks began in Tripoli in October, mediated by the Libyan leader Quaddafi.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Government of Libya
Comment on Third Party Involvement: After meetings with Filipino government officials, the Libyan leader Quaddafi invited the government and the MNLF to exploratory peace talks in Tripoli in October.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1993 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Several clashes occurred between MNLF and government troops, as well as between MNLF and Christian paramilitaries. Some activity by MILF was recorded, but it did not reach the 25 fatality threshold. The ASG undertook several large-scale operations that targeted civilians.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Preliminary peace talks, brokered by Libya between 14-16 April, were claimed successful, and on 25 October formal peace negotiations started in Jakarta between the MNLF and the government. Mediators were the OIC and the government of Indonesia. On 7 November, both parties agreed to an interim ceasefire. The talks ended in good spirits on 20 December.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Government of Libya
Government of Indonesia
Organization of the Islamic Conference
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The government of Libya acted as a mediator in preliminary peace talks in April. The government of Indonesia and the OIC were involved in formal negotiations held between October-December.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1994 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: At the end of the year, conflict activity increased as both the MILF and the ASG became more active.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: MNLF declared a new ceasefire on 26 January, after clashes in the end of 1993. On 25 March, the government declared a general amnesty for all rebels in both the conflict over government and over Mindanao. The second round of talks between MNLF and the government was held in September-December, after several postponements. Before each meeting in the peace process, minor military skirmishes occurred.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OIC
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Mediation continued between MNLF and the government.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1995 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Only the ASG was active, since the MNLF was involved in peace negotiations and the MILF had an informal ceasefire agreement with the government.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: On 26 January a new ceasefire agreement was signed between the government and the MNLF, which the MILF informally also committed to. Five days later, the government agreed to the establishment of a provisional autonomous government in Mindanao led by the MNLF. Several violent incidents involving ASG and a breakaway group of MNLF led to postponements of talks until 20 June. After a week of talks they stalled again. Low-level consultations followed until the official third round of formal talks started in Jakarta. On 1 December, an interim agreement was signed concerning education, economy and a formal framework for the autonomous government. Five days later, the government declared a unilateral ceasefire.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
Government of Indonesia
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Mediation
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1996 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Negotiations continued with MNLF in Jakarta, and led to the signing of a Peace Agreement in Manila on 2 September 1996. In the regional elections that followed, the MNLF leader Nur Misauri became governor of the temporary Special Zone created in Mindanao. The government suffered heavy criticism from political opponents and Christians in Mindanao for the agreement. MNLF also signed a peace treaty with the Christian paramilitary group Illaga on 29 February.
MILF did not sign the peace agreement, but promised not to "stand in the way of peace." On 18 April, the government and MILF agreed to a ceasefire, and exploratory talks between them started in August.
On 28 November, the government announced a 60-day long ceasefire against all rebel groups in the country.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1997 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Several rumours claimed that the MILF, the ASG, and a political group called the NIC (National Islamic Command) were about to form a tactical alliance. In May it was reported that some 1500 former MNLF members had joined the MILF since the former had committed to the peace agreement.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: After heavy fighting in the beginning of the year, MILF and the government agreed to a ceasefire on 27 January. This was accompanied with the opening of preliminary peace talks between the two groups, which lasted from 7 January to the end of June. In the talks MILF presented a 9-point agenda: ancestral domain; displaced and landless Bangsamoro; destruction of properties and war victims; human rights issues; social and cultural discrimination; corruption of the mind and moral fiber; economic inequities and widespread poverty; exploitation of natural resources and agrarian reforms. The process was interrupted, but resumed in July when the two parties signed a "cessation of hostilities" agreement. In July, several ceasefires were proclaimed, and from 21 July both sides implemented a ceasefire. In August the parties signed a document that reaffirmed the parties commitment to a resolution of the conflict, the Agreement of Intent.
In September, there were renewed clashes and the government declared a unilateral ceasefire on 14 November. On 28 December, the MILF and the government committed to sign at least a preliminary peace accord within a year.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1998 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Most of the activity during 1998 was based around peace talks, even though there were repeated clashes between rebels and government forces. In December, the government instigated a large-scale offensive aimed at both the MILF and the ASG.
On 13 August, the MNLF leader and governor of the Special Zone created in the 1996 agreement, claimed he did not have enough funds available to develop the area according to previously announced plans.
The founding leader of the ASG, Janjalani, was killed in clashes with government forces in December. His place as the leader of one of the two ASG groups was taken by his brother, nicknamed "Ghadaffi."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: During the year, preliminary talks continued between the MILF and the government. A ceasefire between 20-25 January, led to the opening of talks on 4 February. On 6 February, the two parties agreed in principle to prevent future battles, something that was formalized on 11 March when MILF and government representatives formed a rapid response conflict-solving group. Due to the presidential elections in June, peace talks were suspended temporarily, but on 20 October, both parties agreed to reveal the location of their respective camps, in an attempt to prevent "coincidental" clashes between the two forces.
During the presidential election campaign, one of the candidates claimed to have had preliminary peace talks with the ASG. The ASG leadership denied this, but in the run-up to the elections, on 6 June, the government decided to postpone all offensives aimed at the ASG. After the elections, on 2 July, the ASG called for peace negotiations for the first time in the conflict.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1999 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: During the first half of the year, preparations for peace talks led to low activity, as the peace process seemed to gain momentum with negotiations between MNLF and MILF. After July, there was an increase in fighting that continued throughout the year.
The plebiscite that was scheduled for the autonomous area, according to the 1996 MNLF-government agreement, was postponed due to lack of development funding. The governor over the Special Zone created in 1996, and leader of MNLF, was criticized politically for his lifestyle and for not spending enough time on Mindanao.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: After several months of arguing about the location of where the government and MILF should meet (Libya or Malaysia), formal peace talks between the government and MILF opened at Dawah Center, Sultan Kadaat, in Maguidanao on 25 October 1999. The first discussion points were formalities, and on 17 December, both parties signed a decision on the conduct during the remaining negotiations.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Father Eliseo Mercado, Catholic priest
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Father Eliseo Mercado, a Catholic priest leading a ceasefire monitoring team, facilitated a meeting between the commander of the Philippine forces and the leader of the southern Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Front to discuss the reinforcement of 1-1/2 year old truce.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2000 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: During the first half of the year, the peace negotiations between MILF and the government continued even though the intensity of the conflict escalated. Large-scale government offensives eventually led to MILF pulling out of talks, and on 9 July the government announced that they had defeated MILF and captured all of their camps. As a response, the MILF leader Salamat Hashim declared a "jihad" against the Filipino government.
The ASG also expanded its activities over the year, once again focusing largely on kidnappings-for-ransom. In December, a series of bomb attacks rocked downtown Manila but it is unclear who was responsible for them. The MILF denied responsibility, and many suggested that the incidents were planned by the international organization JI (Jemaah Islamiyya).
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Peace negotiations were briefly interrupted in April due to a government offensive. On 6 May, the MILF declared a unilateral ceasefire and wanted to reopen the talks, but the government offensive continued until 16 May. On 30 May, negotiations resumed but a new government offensive eventually led to MILF leaving the peace talks on 15 June.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2001 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: After the Filipino president Estrada was ousted in January on charges of corruption, the conflict activity decreased and the peace process was resumed. This led to a decrease in violence compared to the previous year.
Allegations on corruption also became the downfall of Nur Misauri, the leader of MNLF and governor of the Special Zone (created in the 1996 peace agreement). On 15 April, the leadership of MNLF removed Misuari from the chairmanship of the organization.
Misauri still had many followers, and he continued as governor of Mindanao. A plebiscite on autonomy called for in the 1996 agreement was held on 14 August but only Marawi City and the island of Basilan voted for autonomy. Misauri claimed that the government had not issued enough funds for a proper campaign for the cause of autonomy and rejected the result.
A week before new elections for the governorship were scheduled, Misauri claimed that the peace agreement was not valid. Since the Filipino government had not fulfilled their end of the agreement, Misauri took up arms with a faction of MNLF members in November, attacking a military base. More clashes followed in December as Misauri fled into Malaysia, where he was arrested.
The ASG suffered a new setback when one of the main leaders, "Ghadaffi" Janjalani, was killed in June. His role as spokesperson for the movement was taken over by Abu Sabaya.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: On 20 February, the government suspended all military operations against the MILF, and peace talks were reopened on 24 March in Malaysia. These preparatory got talks underway without any major obstacles, and on 22 June MILF and the government signed an agreement (the 2001 Tripoli Agreement) committing to the peace process. Formal peace negotiations started two days later. These lasted until October, and were brokered by Malaysia.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Government of Malaysia
Government of Libya
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Mediation between MILF and the government.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2002 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 386
Low estimate: 304
High estimate: 525"
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Several attempts to resume the peace talks between the government and the MILF were made. In March, President Arroyo suspended formal peace talks, as she wanted MILF to prove their sincerity in peace talks. She eventually continued with low-level contacts and on 6 May the parties issued a joint communiqué aimed at "criminal elements" trying to hijack the peace process.
Due to the US-led war on terror, there were suggestions about links between MILF and Jemaah Islamiah that were denied, but the war-of-words postponed the resumption of negotiations.
A series of meetings were held between June-September between the government and MILF but no formal talks were resumed.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2003 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 861
Low estimate: 585
High estimate: 1082"
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Attempts were made at initiating formal talks between MILF and the government. However, they were delayed several times and the parties never met beyond exploratory talks.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2004 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: 69 is the combined best estimates of the number of battle-related deaths in the two dyads of the Mindanao conflict (i.e. MILF vs. the government and Abu Sayyaf vs. the government). The high estimate is 99 battle-related deaths and the low estimate is 66.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Peace talks between the government of Philippines as MILF was planned several times, but continuously postponed. Some exploratory talks were held in Malaysia but plans for real negotiations were never formalized.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Japan
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Several states and organizations in 2004 offered to mediate in the conflict between Philippines and MILF, including Malaysia and the United States Institute for Peace (USIP). In October, an International Monitoring Team arrived in the Philippines. The team was led by Malaysia and also included representatives from Brunei, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Japan and its main objective was to overlook the ceasefire.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2005 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Two dyads were active in the conflict over Mindanao in 2005: MILF and Abu Sayyaf
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Best estimate: 181; Low estimate: 180; High estimate: 228
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Several rounds of negotiations were held between the Philippine government representatives and MILF officials, beginning in April. Although referred to as "exploratory" the talks are coded as negotiations since issues related to the incompatibility were discussed, including territorial control. The talks were hosted by Malaysia. Although no formal agreement was reached, peace talks reportedly ended on a positive note. In October, it was reported that the government had agreed to allow for a Bangsamoro government to e.g. have its own tax system, constitution and legal and financial institutions. This was, however, not formalized. No negotiations took place with the Abu Sayyaf group.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Malaysia hosted talks between the Philippine government and MILF.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2006 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2006, the conflict over the status of Mindanao continued, albeit with only one active rebel group: ASG.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: These battle-related deaths all relate to fighting between the government and ASG, the one active dyad in the conflict."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The Malaysia-led peace process betweem MILF and the government continued in 2006. However, as in previous years discussions were solely held between the two parties in the technical committee. While both parties early in the year stated that a peace deal could well be signed before the year’s end, they failed to reach agreement during 2006.
At talks in February, the deadlock on the thorny issue of the size of the ancestral domain claimed by MILF was reported to have been broken. However, in March, formal talks set to resume never materialized. Instead, informal talks continued, again focusing on MILF’s territorial claims. In May the talks stalled, as MILF turned down an offer by the government to add 600 villages to an existing five-province Muslim autonomous region. MILF for their part tabled a list of over 1000 villages that they wanted to include. An attempt to break the deadlock was made in September, but after three days the talks were suspended without the teams managing to break the impasse on the territorial issues. MILF persisted in their stance, demanding over 1000 villages to be included in the area without a referendum. This was rejected by government negotiators who stated that it was against the constitution. The parties met again in December with no breakthrough reported.
No negotiations were held between the governmnet and ASG.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Libya and Brunei
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Malaysia acted as mediator in the talks between the government and MILF.
A 60-member team has since 2004 overseen the ceasefire between MILF and the government. The monitoring team is led by Malaysia and also includes troops from Libya and Brunei.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2007 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2007, the conflict in Mindanao flared up again after a lull in 2006. The MILF became active again as a negotiation deadlock between the warring parties persisted for the larger part of the year. A new dyad also became active in 2007 when a 400-strong MNLF faction under Habier Malik declared jihad (holy war) on the government in April. Further, the ASG showed a tendency of greater tactical and logistical cooperation with other armed Moro groups and carried out several attacks with MILF, mainstream MNLF and the new MNLF - Habier Malik faction separately.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The only active armed opposition group in 2007 which negotiated with the government was the MILF; the negotiations took place mid-November 2007 in Malaysia.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Libya, Brunei and Japan. Sweden and Canada have signified desire to join the foreign monitors.
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Malaysia acted as mediator in the talks between the government and MILF.
A 60-member team (International Monitoring Team, IMT) has since 2004 overseen the ceasefire between MILF and the government. The monitoring team is led by Malaysia and in 2007 includes troops from Libya (34 members), Brunei (10) and Japan (1). The IMT is allowed to carry small firearms. On 27 August, the MILF and the Philippine government agreed to extend the IMT’s tour duty for another year (their original mandate expired on 8/31/2007).
Libya also offered to host peace talks between MILF and the GRP; the Libyan President Moammar Ghaddafi was influential in the decision of the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) to sign an agreement with the government in 1996.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2008 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: From three active rebel groups in 2007, the conflict in Mindanao was in 2008 down to only one, namely MILF. The first half of 2008 was characterized by low activity and few clashes between rebel groups and the armed forces. MILF and the Government peace panel agreed upon a draft document on Muslim autonomous territories during summer and a signing ceremony was planned in early August. After the intervention of the Supreme Court, accusing the agreement of being unconstitutional, violence flared and reached the highest levels since 2003, this in spite of the fact that fighting between ASG and the armed forces de-escalated below the 25 battle-related deaths threshold, leaving MILF the only active rebel group this year. Both parties made statements at the end of year, pledging their openness towards the peace process, but no dates for negotiations were set. Furthermore, MILF declared that the opposing stands on the agreement on ancestral domain, which MILF considered a “done deal”, had to be solved before talks could resume. A “tactical alliance” between MILF and the Communist Party of the Philippines, CPP, further worried the Government. The rebel groups, in spite of differing incompatibilities, have been trading technology, arms and training, during 2008.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 295, High estimate: 531, Low estimate: 295
MILF was the only group active in 2008"
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: MILF and the Government peace panel met in secret talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during summer 2008, resulting in a draft agreement on July 16 concerning the autonomy of Muslim territory. New meetings were hosted by Malaysia July 24-27 and the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) was finally initialed by both parties on July 27. The MOA-AD, considered to be the most far-reaching of more than 70 agreements reached by the government and MILF since talks began in 1997, was scheduled to be signed during a ceremony on August 5 in Malaysia. On August 4, one day before the planned signing ceremony, the Supreme Court issued a restraining order on the signing of the agreement.
Fierce fighting erupted in mid-August and on September 3 President Arroyo announced that the Government peace panel was dissolved. The Supreme Court ruled on October 14 that the MOA-AD was unconstitutional. Both parties made statements at the end of year, pledging their openness towards the peace process, but no dates for negotiations were set. Furthermore, MILF declared that the opposing stands on the MOA-AD, which MILF considered a “done deal”, had to be solved before talks could resume.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan
Comment on Third Party Involvement: A 60-member team (International Monitoring Team, IMT) has since 2004 overseen the ceasefire between MILF and the Government. Malaysia has been leading the team and has contributed with 41 out of 60 members. The monitoring team also includes troops from Libya (10 members), Brunei (8), and Japan (1). During spring 2008 Malaysia threatened to withdraw its contingent if there was no progress in the peace process, and in May, 29 of Malaysia’s 41 men left the Philippines. In August Malaysia extended its mission to the end of November after warnings from both sides that a withdrawal could result in an escalation of violence. At the end of the year however, Malaysia left the Philippines. Libya promised to stay another three months, and UK offered their help in facilitating peace talks.
Malaysia also hosted several rounds of informal talks in Kuala Lumpur during the latter half of the year.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2009 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In the spring of 2009 violence escalated in the Mindanao conflict as both MILF and ASG stepped up their attacks against the government. However, when MILF signed a unilateral ceasefire in late July and shortly thereafter started negotiating with the government, violence decreased dramatically. Following several informal peace talks, in which the parties agreed to form an international contact group and to protect civilians, formal negotiations finally opened in Kuala Lumpur in December. Fighting between government forces and ASG continued, however, and during the fall of 2009, violent encounters took place in the Sulu province and on the island of Basilan. The fighting between the government of the Philippines and ASG caused more than 25 battle-related deaths in 2009 and consequently, the conflict in Mindanao had two active dyads in 2009 compared to one in 2008.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: During 2009, the Philippine government and MILF resumed negotiations, which had been stalled since August 2008. After extensive effort from the third parties, both parties ordered unilateral ceasefires in July, and shortly thereafter, informal meetings were held in Kuala Lumpur. On 15 September 2009, another round of informal meetings in Kuala Lumpur resulted in the ‘Framework Agreement on the Formation of the International Contact Group for the GRP-MILF Peace Process’, in which the parties agreed to form an international contact group (ICG) with the mission to assist the Malaysian facilitator and to make sure both sides honour any final peace deal.
On 27 October, the parties signed the ‘Agreement on the Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team’ in which they agreed to reactivate the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and to extend its mandate to also include protection of civilians. The agreement also obligated the parties to refrain from targeting the civilian population.
Formal peace talks, facilitated by Malaysia, finally opened on 8 December. At the end of the two-day talks in Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysian official announced that the parties had agreed to begin negotiations on the drafting of a Comprehensive Peace Compact, which they hoped would be signed in the spring the 2010.
No negotiations were held between the Philippine government and ASG during 2009
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, UK, Japan, Turkey, Libya, Brunei, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, the Asia Foundation, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Malaysia’s involvement in the conflict in Mindanao continued to be very important during 2009. Malaysia served as a mediator and facilitator and hosted peace talks between the Philippine government and MILF in Kuala Lumpur on several occasions during the year. Following several informal meetings, formal negotiations finally took place in Kuala Lumpur 8-9 December 2009.
On 15 September 2009, informal meetings between the Philippine government and MILF in Kuala Lumpur resulted in a framework agreement signed by both parties, in which they agreed on forming an international contact group (ICG) for the peace process. Composed of states and international NGOs, the group’s mission is to assist the Malaysian facilitator and to make sure both sides honour any final peace deal. The ICG made its first appearance in the negotiations in Kuala Lumpur in mid-December. At that point the group consisted of UK, Turkey, Japan, the Asia Foundation, Conciliation Resources (a London-based NGO), Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (a Geneva-based mediation organisation), and Muhammadiyah (an Indonesia-based Muslim social organisation). Saudi Arabia had been invited to join but had not yet accepted.
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue also arranged visits by former peace negotiators during the year. In January Jonathan Powell and Gerry Kelly, former negotiators in the Northern Ireland peace process, met with representatives of the warring parties, and in February former Sudanese peace negotiators arrived in the Philippines to discuss peace efforts. In June, UK invited MILF’s chief negotiator to London and Belfast to further study the Northern Ireland peace process.
In October, the parties agreed to reactivate the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and to extend its mandate to also include protection of civilians. As Malaysia had left the IMT in December 2008, the members in 2009 were Libya, Brunei and Japan.
No third parties were involved in the Government of the Philippines – ASG dyad.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2010 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The Philippine security forces and ASG clashed on several occasions during the first half of 2010, while the second half of the year was relatively calm. The violence was concentrated to Basilan Island and the Sulu archipelago and included several attacks on ASG camps. In March, ASG set off a series of bombs in the city of Isabela on Basilan Island, killing civilians as well as soldiers. The Philippine Army launched several operations against ASG hideouts and found a substantial amount of bomb-making equipment. On at least one occasion, ASG fought together with a faction from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) headed by Habier Malik.
Fighting between the government forces and MILF did not cause 25 battle-related deaths in 2010. Several rounds of negotiations and peace talks were held in Malaysia and both parties proclaimed that they respected the ceasefire which had officially been in place since 2003 and was reaffirmed in July 2009.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations were held between the Philippine government and ASG in 2010.
In negotiations between the government and MILF in December 2009, the parties agreed to present their draft agreements during a meeting in January. On 27-28 January 2010, the parties met again in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in formal negotiations. The Philippine government offered MILF ‘enhanced autonomy’, which would cover tax collection and control of natural resources. However, MILF stated that the government offer was unacceptable and that they wanted “a real state and sub-state relationship where they could have real governance and control over their lives”. In April they both signed an agreement to ensure a peaceful election, and in June, an agreement to maintain peace during the political transition of changing president was signed at the IMT headquarters in Mindanao. Negotiations were planned to restart after the new president was sworn in, but they were postponed several times and the parties did not meet for peace talks again during 2010.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan, Indonesia, Norway, OIC
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Malaysia again hosted and served as a mediator in talks between the government and MILF in Kuala Lumpur in January, March and June.
In late February, the International Monitoring Team (IMT), consisting of 40 truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan, returned to the Philippines. The reactivation of the IMT was part of an agreement made by the parties in October 2009, and regulated in an agreement signed in December. In 2010, the EU and Norway agreed to send monitors to the IMT. They had not arrived at the end of the year, but Norwegian representatives visited MILF in June to discuss the civilian protection component of the IMT.
In May, the OIC hosted a meeting in Tajikistan in which both MILF and MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), the rebel group which signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996, participated. MILF and MNLF agreed to unite in their efforts to obtain self-governance in Mindanao and to create peace in the region.
In September, the regional government in Mindanao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), arranged a peace summit in which representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) participated. MNLF also participated in the meetings.
OIC also arranged a meeting in Tripoli, Libya in April in which the Philippine government and MNLF participated. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process and signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2011 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The Philippine security forces and ASG clashed on several occasions during 2011, the heaviest fighting taking place in July that year. The violence was concentrated to Basilan Island and the Sulu archipelago and included several attacks on ASG camps. On at least one occasion, ASG fought together with elements from MILF.
After a lull in fighting in 2010, clashes between MILF and the government during 2011 resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths, making the dyad active in UCDP data. Fighting was concentrated to the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan, and included air strikes, ambushes and gun battles. Several rounds of peace negotiations hosted by Malaysia failed to produce a peace agreement, although both parties confirmed that the ceasefire proclaimed in 2009 was still in place.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations took place in the Government - ASG dyad during 2011.
While no negotiations were held between the government and MILF during the second half of 2010, the parties met on numerous occasions during 2011. On 13 January, exploratory talks hosted by Malaysia took place in Kuala Lumpur and resulted in an agreement to resume formal peace talks. On 9-10 February, the first negotiations since June 2010 took place, and the IMT mandate was renewed for another 12 months. The parties exchanged drafts on their positions and agreed to meet again in April.
The Malaysian facilitator was replaced during the talks in April, after critique from the government that he was biased towards the rebels. During the two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur MILF put forward a draft agreement and the government said that they would respond during the talks in June. However, their submission of a proposal was delayed, and peace talks were stalled.
In August, the peace process was still deadlocked and a secret meeting between President Aquino and the MILF chairman Ebrahim took place in Tokyo during which the parties agreed to speed up the talks. Between 22 and 23 August, a new round of negotiations took place in Kuala Lumpur but MILF deemed the government offer inadequate and the talks planned for September were postponed. Following a statement by MILF that they refused to hold direct talks with the government until they modified their proposal, the Malaysian facilitator met with the parties separately.
In early October, MILF submitted a new proposal, but the outbreak of fighting in mid-October put the peace process on hold. Although several clashes took place between the parties, they both confirmed that the ceasefire was still in place, and in early November informal talks were held in Kuala Lumpur. Between 5 and 7 December, another round of formal negotiations was hosted by Malaysia during which the parties discussed a framework agreement, agreed to extend the IMT mandate and decided to meet again in January 2012.
Although the peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines and MNLF was signed in 1996, negotiations regarding its implementation are still ongoing. The parties met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in February 2011 under the auspices of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The meeting was aimed at signing an agreement concerning the expansion of the ARMM and focused on decentralization of power.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan, Norway, EU, United Kingdom, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah, Conciliation Resources, OIC
Comment on Third Party Involvement: No third party activity was registered in the Government - ASG dyad during 2011.
In the Government - MILF dyad, however, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
Malaysia again hosted and served as a mediator in talks with the parties in Kuala Lumpur in January, February, April, June, August, November and December.
The mandate of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), consisting of 40 truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan, was prolonged in January 2011 and then again in December 2011. In January 2011, two representatives from the European Union joined the team as part of the humanitarian component, and two Norwegian peace monitors joined the security component of the mission.
In November, a UK representative met with the IMT and members of both parties’ peace panels. Discussions focused on lessons learned from the peace process in Northern Ireland.
The members of the International Contact Group (ICG) attended several rounds of peace talks during the year. The group consists of four states and four non-state actors; UK, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah and Conciliation Resources.
OIC hosted talks between the Government of the Philippines and MNLF in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in February 2011.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2012 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The ceasefire between the Philippine government and MILF was in place during the entire year of 2012 and fighting between the parties did not result in 25 battle-related deaths during the year. On 15 October the "Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro" was signed by the government and MILF during a ceremony in the presidential palace in Manila, after numerous rounds of peace talks hosted by Malaysia.
The Philippine security forces and ASG clashed on several occasions during 2012, the heaviest fighting taking place in July that year. The violence was concentrated to Basilan Island and the Sulu archipelago and included attacks on ASG camps, homemade bomb attacks and clashes at rubber plantations. The ASG also continued to kidnap foreigners to finance its activities.
A new group also fought against the government in 2012, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement led by Ameril Umbra Kato. BIFM split from MILF in 2011 following the latter’s decision to drop the demand of independence from the Philippines and instead negotiate for extended autonomy. BIFM fought against MILF during 2011 and against the Philippine government in August 2012.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Two groups were active in the Mindanao conflict during 2012, ASG and a new group BIFM (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement).
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations took place in the Government - ASG dyad or the Government – BIFM dyad during 2012.
In the Government – MILF dyad numerous rounds of formal negotiations were hosted by Malaysia during which the parties discussed the details of a possible framework agreement.
The parties met in January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September and October and promising statements were issued by both parties in connection to the talks, although some warnings about the negotiations reaching a stalemate appeared during the first half of the year.
On 2 October the 32nd round of formal exploratory talks started in Malaysia. After the usual three to four days of talks the parties were close to an agreement and the negotiations were extended for two more days. On 7 October the parties announced that they had agreed on a framework agreement to be signed on 15 October in Manila.
On 15 October, a ceremony was held at the presidential palace in the Philippine capital Manila, during which the “Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” was signed by representatives from the conflict actors as well as the Malaysian mediator. This was the first time a MILF chief was visiting the presidential palace.
The agreement called for the establishment transition commission to work out the details of the agreement and the parties expressed hope that a final peace agreement could be signed before 2015.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: EU, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Libya, UK, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah, Conciliation Resources.
Comment on Third Party Involvement: No third party activity was registered in the Government – ASG dyad or the Government - BIFM dyad during 2012.
In the Government - MILF dyad, however, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
Malaysia again hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met once a month from January to October in negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also signed the “Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” together with representatives from MILF and the Philippine Government during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Manila on 15 October.
The mandate of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), consisting of 40 truce monitors from the EU, Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan, was prolonged in December 2011. In May 2012 Indonesia joined the IMT with ten military officials and five civilian experts on conflict prevention.
The members of the International Contact Group (ICG) attended several rounds of peace talks during the year. The group consists of four states and four non-state actors; UK, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah and Conciliation Resources.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2013 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The ceasefire between the Philippine government and MILF was in place during the entire year of 2013 and fighting between the parties did not result in 25 battle-related deaths during the year. Numerous rounds of peace talks were held in Malaysia during the year, resulting in the signing of three different annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed on 15 October 2012.
However, three groups were active in fighting against the government in 2013; ASG, BIFF and MNLF-NM.
The Philippine security forces and ASG clashed on several occasions during the year, the heaviest fighting taking place in May. The violence was concentrated to Basilan Island and the Sulu archipelago and included attacks on ASG camps, ambushes and attempts to free civilians kidnapped by the rebels.
BIFM continued to fight the Philippine government. The group split from MILF in 2011 following the latters decision to drop the demand of independence from the Philippines and instead negotiate for extended autonomy. Clashes were concentrated to Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato provinces and included attacks on BIFM bases, ambushes, attacks on army camps, and homemade bomb attacks.
Also in 2013, the Nur Misuari faction of MNLF reappeared in UCDP data. Reacting to the ongoing peace negotiations with MILF, Nur Misuari, on 27 July, announced the formation of the “United Federate States of Bangsamoro Republik”, declaring independence of the southern parts of the Philippines including the island of Mindanao, the Sulu archipelago and North Borneo (Sabah). Misuari declared himself president of the Bangsamoro Republik and threatened of renewed violence if the government were to sign a final agreement with the MILF.
On 9 September, about 300 MNLF-NM forces led by Commander Habier Malik landed in Zamboanga City, seeking to hoist the flag of the Bangsamoro Republik at the city hall. They took hundreds of hostages and used civilians as shields in the fighting against the government forces. After 20 days of fighting, the crisis was declared over. The conflict resulted in over 200 fatalities, at least 110 000 displaced residents, and damage in an estimated amount of 4.5 million USD. The rebels were either killed or captured and no more fighting was reported during the year.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Three groups were active in the Mindanao conflict during 2013, ASG, BIFM and MNLF-NM.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations took place in the Government - ASG dyad, the Government - BIFM dyad, or the Government – MNLF-NM dyad during 2013.
In the Government - MILF dyad numerous rounds of formal negotiations were hosted by Malaysia during which the parties discussed the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), signed in October 2012. The parties met in Kuala Lumpur in January, February, April, July, August, September, October and December and in Norway in June. Aquino stated that his goal was to finalize the peace agreement and end the negotiations before his term ends in 2016.
Four annexes to the FAB remained to be hammered out in the beginning of 2013. During the negotiations in February, the first of them was signed. The “Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” provided for the creation of a Transition Commission (TC) with the task to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law and to propose constitutional amendments. The 15-man TC was formed and the chief negotiator of MILF, Mohagher Iqbal, was appointed as head of the Commission.
After the initial success of the negotiations, the parties failed to sign the three remaining annexes during their meeting in April. Peace talks were postponed several times and the Malaysian facilitator held separate backroom talks with the parties to restart the negotiations. In late June, the parties met in Norway and agreed to finally resume formal talks the following month.
During the next meeting, in mid-July, the second annex was signed. The “Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth-sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” gave the Bangsamoro right to a 75% share of the central government taxes, charges and fees collected in the Bangsamoro, as well as 75% of the revenue from metallic minerals in the Bangsamoro territory.
In August, the parties agreed to hold a 10-day formal talk in September to finalize the remaining two annexes. However, the parties failed to approve the annexes and new negotiations were planned for October. In December, the parties finally signed the third annex, the “Annex on Power-sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro”. The power-sharing issue was one of the most contentious, with the rebels seeking greater authority over the Bangsamoro territory. While the central government retained their authority within the areas of external security, foreign policy, monetary policy, citizenship and immigration, the Bangsamoro Ministerial Government was granted authority over numerous issues relating to the Bangsamoro territory including the establishment of Shari’ah courts, social services, culture and language.
The final annex, on demobilization and normalization, was planned to be discussed at the next round of talks, in January 2014.
Outside of the negotiations concerning the FAB and its annexes, the parties signed a jointly undertaken development program in April to deliver basic socio-economic services to target communities in the Bangsamoro territory. Ahead of the elections in May, the parties signed a special ceasefire agreement and agreed to undertake joint security measures during the elections.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Norway, European Union, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah, Conciliation Resources, Community of Sant’Egidio
Comment on Third Party Involvement: No third party activity was registered in the Government - ASG dyad, the Government - BIFM dyad or the Government – MNLF-NM during 2013.
In the Government - MILF dyad, however, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
Malaysia again hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, in January, February, April, July, August, September, October and December. Malaysia also signed the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) consisted of 55 truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and the European Union in 2013. Norway also hosted a meeting in June during which the parties agreed to resume formal peace talks in July.
The members of the International Contact Group (ICG) attended several of the peace talks during the year. The group consists of four states and four non-state actors; UK, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah and Conciliation Resources. One of the meetings was also observed by the Community of Sant’Egidio.
The Center for Humanitarian Dialogue also facilitated two Transition Commission workshops in Cotabato City in late April, and in Tagaytay City in May. The Transition Commission is set up by the parties and is tasked with drafting a basic law on the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity in the southern parts of the Philippines.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2014 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The ceasefire between the Philippine government and MILF was in place during the entire year of 2014 and fighting between the parties did not result in 25 battle-related deaths during the year. The parties signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in March 2014.
However, two groups were active in fighting against the government in 2014; ASG and BIFM
The Philippine security forces and ASG clashed on several occasions during the year, the heaviest fighting taking place in April. The violence was concentrated to Basilan Island and the Sulu archipelago and included attacks on ASG camps, ambushes and attempts to free civilians kidnapped by the rebels.
BIFM continued to fight the Philippine government. The group split from MILF in 2011 following the latters decision to drop the demand of independence from the Philippines and instead negotiate for extended autonomy. Clashes were concentrated to Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato provinces and included attacks on attacks on army installations but also ambushes and homemade bomb attacks. After the CAB was signed in March 2014, BIFM vowed to continue the fight for a separate Muslim nation.
MNLF-NM was not active in 2014, but the group continued to oppose the peace process with MILF.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations took place in the Government - ASG dyad, or the Government - BIFM dyad during 2014.
In the Government - MILF dyad numerous rounds of negotiations were hosted by Malaysia. The parties met in Kuala Lumpur in January, a meeting that resulted in the signing of the final annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the Annex on Normalization. The agreement was seen as one of the most sensitive ones because it regulates the disarmament process. The Annex on Normalization also includes amnesty to MILF members who are facing or have been convicted on rebellion-related charges. During the meeting in January, the parties also signed an addendum to the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing and the Annex on Power Sharing.
The Transition Commission (TC), created in 2013 and tasked with drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), started working on the BBL immediately after the January meeting, hoping to present it to the President by April 2014.
ON 27 March 2014, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed during a ceremony in the presidential palace in Manila. The historic agreement aimed to end 40 years of fighting between the government of the Philippines and the MILF.
During a visit to Hiroshima, Japan in June, the Philippine president and the MILF chairman met to discuss the BBL, which the Congress had failed to pass as planned. The next meeting took place in August in Davao City, still focusing on the draft BBL which had not yet been submitted to Congress. After several days of closed door meetings, the parties issued a joint statement on 10 Aug saying that they had reached agreement on large parts of the draft BBL. On 20 Aug, the final draft was finally submitted to the President.
In early September, secret meetings were held between the Philippine president and the MILF chairman in an attempt to resolve some remaining differences over the BBL, and on 10 September the President submitted the draft BBL to Congress. The plan is to ratify the BBL during 2016.
In late September meetings were held in Malaysia, discussing the disarmament process. The parties appointed three experts from Brunei, Turkey and Norway to oversee the process. In October, another round of meetings in Kuala Lumpur resulted in the creation of a composite team tasked with enabling the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the new Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). During meetings in Kuala Lumpur in November, the parties signed the terms of reference for a new body called the Coordination Team for the Transition (CT4T), which shall serve as the "primary mechanism for coordination between Parties and concerned agencies to ensure that the necessary steps are undertaken in preparation for the transition leading to the installation of the BTA.". The parties also agreed on confidence-building measures aimed at transforming MILF camps into farming communities.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Norway, European Union, Libya, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah, Conciliation Resources, Community of Sant Egidio, Archdiocese of Cotabato
Comment on Third Party Involvement: No third party activity was registered in the Government - ASG dyad, the Government - BIFM dyad or the Government - MNLF-NM during 2014.
In the Government - MILF dyad, however, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
Malaysia again hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, in January, September, October and November. Malaysia also signed the Annex on Normalization to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) consisted of 36 truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Libya, Japan, Norway and the European Union in 2014.
The members of the International Contact Group (ICG) attend and observe the meetings in Kuala Lumpur. The group consists of four states and four non-state actors; UK, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyyah and Conciliation Resources.
In June, a peace forum was arranged in Cotabato, by Community of Sant Egidio, Muhammadiyah and Archdiocese of Cotabato.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2015 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In spite of the peace agreement signed in 2014, fighting between the government and MILF erupted in January 2015 shattering the three-year ceasefire. Both parties were accused of breaking the ceasefire during the worst clashes since 2011. The fighting, which took place in Maguindanao, resulted in at least 44 special forces being killed. The passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the Philippine Congress was delayed several times during the year and by the end of 2015, the peace agreement still was not implemented. Moreover, two other groups continued to fight the government in 2015; ASG and BIFM. Reports on ASG pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) surfaced in 2014, and several steps towards a Philippine province of the Islamic State could be witnessed during 2015.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In late January, the government of the Philippines and MILF met in Malaysia to finalize the protocols for the decommissioning of firearms, part of the Annex on Normalization to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2104.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Libya, Japan, Norway, European Union
Comment on Third Party Involvement: No third party activity was registered in the Government - ASG dyad, or the Government - BIFM dyad during 2015.
In the Government - MILF dyad, however, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
Malaysia again hosted and served as a mediator when the parties met in negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, in January.
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) consisted of 36 truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Libya, Japan, Norway and the European Union in 2015.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2016 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The ceasefire between the Philippine government and MILF was in place during 2016 and fighting between the parties did not result in 25 battle-related deaths during the year. The passing of the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) was delayed further and when the new president, Rodrigo Duterte, was inaugurated in June, he signaled that he would focus on federalization instead of BBL.
Four groups were active in fighting against the government in 2016; ASG, the ASG splinter al-Harakat al-Islamiyah, BIFM, and the Maute group.
ASG was the focus of a large offensive launched by the government during which the latter captured several rebel camps and deployed thousands of soldiers to ASG strongholds in Sulu. ASG splintered on 4 Jan 2016 when commander Isnilon Hapilon announced the unification of the pro-ISIS groups in a video. He then referred to his part of the ASG (based on Basilan) with their original name, al-Harakat al-Islamiyah. The part of ASG remaining in the Sulu region is from that date seen as the continuation of the group, under the leadership of Radullan Sahiron, while the actions of ASG in Basilan is recorded in the al-Harakat al-Islamiyah dyad. Al-Harakat al-Islamiyah formally joined IS on 20 April 2016, when the IS Al Naba newsletter presented Hapilon as the emir of the Islamic State forces in the Philippines. Consequently, their activity after 20 April is recorded in the conflict over the territory called Islamic State.
Fighting with BIFM continued during 2016, with a government offensive launched in February. The operation resulted in the capture of a major BIFM camp in Maguindanao. The group became part of IS on 20 April 2016, and their activity after that date is recorded in the conflict over the territory called Islamic State.
The Maute group emerged as a training unit around 2011, but it was not until 2016 that fighting between the Maute forces and the Philippine government resulted in at least 25 battle-related deaths. The group became part of IS on 20 April 2016, and their activity after that date is recorded in the conflict over the territory called Islamic State.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The government of the Philippines and MILF met in Malaysia in February, May, and August. The talks resulted in an extended ceasefire (until March 2017), and a Declaration of Continuity of the Partnership in the peace process.
No negotiations took place in the other dyads in this conflict during the year.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), Malaysia, International Monitoring Team (IMT)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In the Government - MILF dyad, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) consists of two representatives from Philippine NGOs and two representatives from international NGOs, in addition to one “eminent international person” who is the chair of the group. The TPMT's task is to oversee the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2014.
The current five members of the TPMT are: Zainuddin Malang (Mindanao Human Rights Action Centre), Huseyin Oruç (IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation), Steven Rood (The Asia Foundation), Karen Tañada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute), and the Chair Alistair MacDonald (former EU Ambassador to the Philippines).
Malaysia again hosted talks between the government of the Philippines and MILF in February, May, and August.
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) consisted of truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Libya, Japan, Norway and the European Union in 2016.
No third party involvement took place in the other dyads in this conflict during the year.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2017 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The ceasefire between the Philippine government and MILF was in place during 2017 and fighting between the parties did not result in 25 battle-related deaths during the year. In February, an expanded Bangsamoro Transitional Commission was appointed, tasked with drafting a new Bangsamoro Basic Law. They submitted the new draft to president Duterte in July, who forwarded it to the House of Representatives and the Senate in August.
Fighting between the government and ASG continued unabated in the Sulu region, causing well over 25 fatalities.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The government of the Philippines and MILF met in Malaysia in March. The talks resulted in an extended mandate for the International Monitoring Team, as well as an agreement on the Terms of Reference of the Peace Implementing Panels.
No negotiations took place in the government - ASG dyad this year.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), Malaysia, International Monitoring Team (IMT), International Contact Group (ICG)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In the Government - MILF dyad, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) consists of two representatives from Philippine NGOs and two representatives from international NGOs, in addition to one “eminent international person” who is the chair of the group. The TPMT's task is to oversee the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2014.
The current five members of the TPMT are: Rahib Kudto (United Youth for Peace and Development), Huseyin Oruç (IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation), Sam Chittick (The Asia Foundation), Karen Tañada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute), and the Chair Alistair MacDonald (former EU Ambassador to the Philippines).
Malaysia again hosted talks between the government of the Philippines and MILF in March. The International Contact Group (Japan, Turkey, UK, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, and Conciliation Resources) witnessed the signing of documents during these talks.
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) consisted of truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, and the European Union in 2017.
No third party involvement took place in the government - ASG dyad this year.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2018 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The ceasefire between the Philippine government and MILF was in place during 2018 and fighting between the parties did not result in 25 battle-related deaths during the year.
Fighting between the government and ASG continued unabated in the Sulu region, causing well over 25 fatalities. Moreover, a splinter group from BIFM (which joined IS in 2016) was also active fighting against the state. BIFM-K, led by Kagui Karialan, split from BIFM when the latter decided to join IS in 2016. Although being involved in smaller skirmishes in 2016 and 2017, it was not until in 2018 that fighting between the government of the Philippines and the BIFM-K resulted in 25 battle-related deaths.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), International Monitoring Team (IMT) = Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, European Union.
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In the Government - MILF dyad, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) consists of two representatives from Philippine NGOs and two representatives from international NGOs, in addition to one “eminent international person” who is the chair of the group. The TPMT's task is to oversee the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2014.
The current five members of the TPMT are: Rahib Kudto (United Youth for Peace and Development), Huseyin Oruç (IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation), Sam Chittick (The Asia Foundation), Karen Tañada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute), and the Chair Alistair MacDonald (former EU Ambassador to the Philippines).
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) consisted of truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and the European Union in 2018.
No third party involvement took place in the government - ASG or in the government - BIFM-K dyad this year.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2019 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In January 2019, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was ratified in a referendum, and in February President Duterte swore in 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. The BAT will rule the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in line with the peace agreement signed with MILF in 2014.
The ceasefire between the Philippine government and MILF was in place during 2019 and fighting between the parties did not result in 25 battle-related deaths during the year.
One group was active in fighting against the government in 2019; ASG. Many of the other factions originating from MILF have instead joined IS in its conflict against the Philippine Government over the territory Islamic State.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations took place during the year
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), International Monitoring Team (IMT) = Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, European Union.
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In the Government - MILF dyad, several parties were involved in third party activities during the year.
The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) consists of two representatives from Philippine NGOs and two representatives from international NGOs, in addition to one “eminent international person” who is the chair of the group. The TPMT's task is to oversee the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2014.
The current members of the TPMT are: Rahib Kudto (United Youth for Peace and Development), Huseyin Oruç (IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation), Sam Chittick (The Asia Foundation), and Karen Tañada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute).
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) consisted of truce monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and the European Union in 2019.
No third party involvement took place in the government - ASG dyad this year.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2020 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Compared to 2019, the conflict between government forces and ASG increased its intensity in 2020 as clashes continued throughout the year. The repeated violence by the ASG during 2020 was mostly carried out in the form of kidnapping civilians, roadside bombs, shootings, and the targeting of police and military installations, The conflict was mainly concentrated in Sulu and Basilan provinces.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations took place during the year
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2021 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2021, tens of ASG fighters surrendered to the government which led to significant decrease in ASG activities and associated fighting.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
2022 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2023 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2023, for the first time in several years, the conflict did not exceed the minimum threshold of 25 deaths and did not pass UCDP’s level of inclusion. There were a handful of clashes between the government forces and ASG, as well as one encounter with BIFM-K.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
2024 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2025 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2025, the conflict did not surpass the UCDP’s minimum threshold of 25 deaths and was therefore excluded from its dataset.
Terminated: NO
