Part 4/14:

The initial Moro insurgent movements splintered over ideological differences, with the MILF emerging as a more militant but political-focused faction in the late 20th century. For decades, armed clashes claimed tens of thousands of lives, but international and domestic pressure eventually paved the way for peace talks.

In 1997, negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF gained momentum, culminating in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) in March 2014, a milestone that symbolized hope for a peaceful resolution. A central element of the agreement was the decommissioning of MILF's armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), involving roughly 40,000 fighters surrendering their weapons in exchange for social and economic support.