The Territorial Dispute for Muslim Mindanao and Its Effect on Society

THE TERRITORIAL DISPUTE FOR MUSLIM MINDANAO AND ITS EFFECT ON SOCIETY

CHAPTER I

  A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is a rebel group that was founded by Nur Misuari in 1969. The MNLF struggled against the Philippine Government   to achieve independence   of the Bangsamoro Land . The MNLF-GPH Peace Process is ongoing since the 1976 and both parties are working together to negotiate the terms and conditions of the legal framework and implementation of genuine autonomy as a peaceful path towards independence. As defined by the MNLF, the territory of Bangsamoro Land covers Sulu, Mindanao, Palawan, and Sabah.

MNLF is internationally recognized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC, formerly the Organization of the Islamic Conference) and its Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States . Since 1977, the MNLF has been an observer member of the OIC. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation   is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations, and has membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Philippine Government also requested similar recognition as observer member but was denied by the OIC. On 30 January 2012, MNLF became an observer member of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Cooperation , as approved during the 7th PUIC global session held in Palembang, Indonesia.

The founder and leader of the MNLF is Prof. Dr. Nur Misuari. Based on almost all official communications of the Organization of Islamic Conference   and the Republic of the Philippines, Nur Misuari is addressed as the Chieftain of the Bangsamoro, Founder of the MNLF, Chairman of the MNLF, Leader of the MNLF, and Commander-in-Chief of the MNLF.
Misuari is the only person in the Bangsamoro Land who is distinguished as a certified United Nations Peace Prize Awardee; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nominee; Awardee of Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize. He is one of the few individuals that have acquired an international...