MNLF

The Moro National Liberation Front, or MNLF, is a political organization in the Philippines seeking to establish an autonomous region for the Moro people in Mindanao, Palawan, and the Sulu Archipelago. Founded in 1972 by Nur Misuari, the MNLF initially aimed for full independence but later shifted to a pursuit of greater autonomy within the Philippine state. The organization's ideology is rooted in the self-determination of the Bangsamoro people, who are predominantly Muslim.

The MNLF engaged in a protracted armed conflict with the Philippine government for decades, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement. Peace negotiations led to the signing of the Tripoli Agreement in 1976 and the signing of the Final Peace Agreement in 1996, which established the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). However, the MNLF continued to express dissatisfaction with the implementation of these agreements.

In recent years, a faction of the MNLF, still led by Misuari, has remained critical of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which established a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM) in 2019. This new region aims to replace ARMM and is seen by proponents as a more comprehensive fulfillment of the peace process. The MNLF's historical role and ongoing involvement in the political landscape of Mindanao continue to be significant in the Philippines' efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.