In Search of Independence

The book is about the Bangsamoro struggles for independence from the Philippine Republic. The Bangsamoro people have asserted their right to self-determination since Philippine independence from the United States immediately after World War II. Moro datus vehemently opposed the annexation of Mindanao to the Republic of the Philippines because they believed that Moro nation was separate from the rest of the Philippines since pre-colonial period and that they had distinct culture and religion. They showed their objection by means of taking arms and fighting the Philippine government. They had organized revolutionary movements to finally reclaim independence that was denied to them. The first mass-based revolutionary movement is the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). It fought the Philippine government fiercely. After years of fighting, MNLF and Philippine government agreed to talk and finally settle the conflict by giving autonomy to the Bangsamoro. From the MNLF emerged Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF separated from the MNLF because it wanted to pursue independence from the Philippine government.