• Turkey
  • world
    • middle east
    • europe
    • americas
    • africa
    • asia - pacific
  • economy
  • politics
  • sports
  • infographics
  • culture and art
  • health
  • photo
  • video
    • Last Uploaded
    • multimedia
  • other
    • company news
    • finance terminal
    • anadolu images
    • energy terminal
    • anadolu post anadolu post
    • news academy
  • Türkçe
  • English
  • BHS
  • Pусский
  • Français
  • العربية
  • Kurdî
  • کوردی
  • Shqip
  • فارسی
  • македонски
  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • Español

Anadolu AgencyAnadolu Agency

English
  • Anadolu Agency
  • Turkey
    • US not united on Syria withdrawal: Turkish president

      US not united on Syria withdrawal: Turkish president

      Features
      Archive
      Turkish, Iranian agencies hold conference in Ankara

      Turkish, Iranian agencies hold conference in Ankara

      Features
      Archive
      Famed Turkish musician urges youth to be fearless

      Famed Turkish musician urges youth to be fearless

      Features
      Archive
      Turkish gold refinery denies alleged trade with Caracas

      Turkish gold refinery denies alleged trade with Caracas

      Features
      Archive
      Economic markers on the rise: Turkish finance minister

      Economic markers on the rise: Turkish finance minister

      Features
      Archive
  • world
    • middle east
      Taliban: 'Soviet withdrawal is lesson to US'

      Taliban: 'Soviet withdrawal is lesson to US'

      Features
      Archive
      Iraqi-Turkish trade needs to be developed: Envoy

      Iraqi-Turkish trade needs to be developed: Envoy

      Features
      Archive
      US policy on Syria 'mystery': French FM

      US policy on Syria 'mystery': French FM

      Features
      Archive
      UN urges Israel to lift Palestinian movement limits

      UN urges Israel to lift Palestinian movement limits

      Features
      Archive
    • europe
      US not united on Syria withdrawal: Turkish president

      US not united on Syria withdrawal: Turkish president

      Features
      Archive
      Germany eyes closer cooperation with Astana format

      Germany eyes closer cooperation with Astana format

      Features
      Archive
      'Tough for Europe Muslims': Turkish-Belgian politician

      'Tough for Europe Muslims': Turkish-Belgian politician

      Features
      Archive
      EU solidarity with Ireland will not falter: Irish PM

      EU solidarity with Ireland will not falter: Irish PM

      Features
      Archive
    • americas
      Taliban: 'Soviet withdrawal is lesson to US'

      Taliban: 'Soviet withdrawal is lesson to US'

      Features
      Archive
      US not united on Syria withdrawal: Turkish president

      US not united on Syria withdrawal: Turkish president

      Features
      Archive
      US: Multiple officers injured in Illinois shooting

      US: Multiple officers injured in Illinois shooting

      Features
      Archive
      US policy on Syria 'mystery': French FM

      US policy on Syria 'mystery': French FM

      Features
      Archive
    • africa
      Senegal’s ex-president urges presidential vote boycott

      Senegal’s ex-president urges presidential vote boycott

      Features
      Archive
      66 killed in Nigeria's northwest ahead of polls

      66 killed in Nigeria's northwest ahead of polls

      Features
      Archive
      Fire on fishing vessel kills 6 in South Africa

      Fire on fishing vessel kills 6 in South Africa

      Features
      Archive
      Nigeria: Suspended top judge appears at tribunal

      Nigeria: Suspended top judge appears at tribunal

      Features
      Archive
    • asia - pacific
      Decades since Soviets left, war hangs heavy on Afghans

      Decades since Soviets left, war hangs heavy on Afghans

      Features
      Archive
      Myanmar: 2 get death penalty for Muslim lawyer’s murder

      Myanmar: 2 get death penalty for Muslim lawyer’s murder

      Features
      Archive
      US announces $60m in aid for Rohingya in Bangladesh

      US announces $60m in aid for Rohingya in Bangladesh

      Features
      Archive
      Condemnations pour in against Kashmir bombing

      Condemnations pour in against Kashmir bombing

      Features
      Archive
  • economy
    • Turkish gold refinery denies alleged trade with Caracas

      Turkish gold refinery denies alleged trade with Caracas

      Features
      Archive
      Economic markers on the rise: Turkish finance minister

      Economic markers on the rise: Turkish finance minister

      Features
      Archive
      Turkey's Borsa Istanbul up at close

      Turkey's Borsa Istanbul up at close

      Features
      Archive
      EU trade balance posts $26.7B deficit in 2018

      EU trade balance posts $26.7B deficit in 2018

      Features
      Archive
      Turkey can act as center for arbitration: Trade min.

      Turkey can act as center for arbitration: Trade min.

      Features
      Archive
  • politics
    • 66 killed in Nigeria's northwest ahead of polls

      66 killed in Nigeria's northwest ahead of polls

      Features
      Archive
      EU solidarity with Ireland will not falter: Irish PM

      EU solidarity with Ireland will not falter: Irish PM

      Features
      Archive
      Trump circumvents Congress to build Mexico border wall

      Trump circumvents Congress to build Mexico border wall

      Features
      Archive
      Turkish MP calls for Sudan’s removal from terror list

      Turkish MP calls for Sudan’s removal from terror list

      Features
      Archive
      Warsaw summons Israel envoy over Netanyahu comments

      Warsaw summons Israel envoy over Netanyahu comments

      Features
      Archive
  • sports
    • FIFA chief: ‘Turkey can host major football events’

      FIFA chief: ‘Turkey can host major football events’

      Features
      Archive
      NBA: Pelicans beat Thunder, Anthony Davis injured

      NBA: Pelicans beat Thunder, Anthony Davis injured

      Features
      Archive
      Benfica edge Galatasaray 2-1 in Europa League

      Benfica edge Galatasaray 2-1 in Europa League

      Features
      Archive
      Football: Napoli's Slovakian star Hamsik moves to China

      Football: Napoli's Slovakian star Hamsik moves to China

      Features
      Archive
      NBA: Raptors beat Wizards, Siakam on fire

      NBA: Raptors beat Wizards, Siakam on fire

      Features
      Archive
  • infographics
  • culture and art
    • Turkish, Iranian agencies hold conference in Ankara

      Turkish, Iranian agencies hold conference in Ankara

      Features
      Archive
      Famed Turkish musician urges youth to be fearless

      Famed Turkish musician urges youth to be fearless

      Features
      Archive
      Ancient letters reveal most famous Ottoman love story

      Ancient letters reveal most famous Ottoman love story

      Features
      Archive
      Couples in Turkey tie knot on Valentine’s Day

      Couples in Turkey tie knot on Valentine’s Day

      Features
      Archive
      Turkish institute promotes culture abroad

      Turkish institute promotes culture abroad

      Features
      Archive
  • health
    • Turkish doctors treat thousands in Kenya for free

      Turkish doctors treat thousands in Kenya for free

      Features
      Archive
      US: Health care facility where woman was raped to close

      US: Health care facility where woman was raped to close

      Features
      Archive
      Influenza kills 43 in Western Balkans

      Influenza kills 43 in Western Balkans

      Features
      Archive
      Canadian mother gives water birth in Turkey

      Canadian mother gives water birth in Turkey

      Features
      Archive
      UN marks female genital mutilation zero-tolerance day

      UN marks female genital mutilation zero-tolerance day

      Features
      Archive
  • photo
    • Friday Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

      Friday Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

      Turkish baklava making in Istanbul

      Turkish baklava making in Istanbul

      March of teachers in Bogota

      March of teachers in Bogota

      Anti and pro Brexit activists demonstration in London

      Anti and pro Brexit activists demonstration in London

      Restoration of historical gold leaf arts

      Restoration of historical gold leaf arts

  • video
    • Last Uploaded
      	Today in 60 seconds - February 15, 2019

      Today in 60 seconds - February 15, 2019

      Anti and pro-Brexit activists' demonstration in London

      Anti and pro-Brexit activists' demonstration in London

      Ethiopian siblings touring Turkey with circus show

      Ethiopian siblings touring Turkey with circus show

      Antarctica: World’s biggest natural laboratory

      Antarctica: World’s biggest natural laboratory

  • other
    • company news
    • finance terminal
    • anadolu images
    • energy terminal
    • news academy
    • anadolu post anadolu post
  • select language
    • Türkçe
    • English
    • BHS
    • Pусский
    • Français
    • العربية
    • Kurdî
    • کوردی
    • Shqip
    • فارسی
    • македонски
    • Bahasa Indonesia
    • Español

breaking

    breaking

      Over a century of struggle for freedom: Bangsamoro

      Referendum will be held next Monday to ratify Bangsamoro Organic Law which will create Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

      home > todays headlines, asia - pacific 17.01.2019

      Over a century of struggle for freedom: Bangsamoro
      Features
      Archive

      By Ahmet Furkan Mercan and Sena Guler

      ANKARA

      Countdown has started for a plebiscite that will grant the Bangsamoros -- a collective term for Filipino Muslims living on an island south of the Philippines -- long-awaited comprehensive autonomy.

      A plebiscite is set to begin on Jan. 21 in two cities, with a second round to be held on Feb. 6 in other areas in the neighboring region, to ratify the the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

      Once the bill is ratified the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) would be created.

      Freedom the Muslims in the region had for centuries was taken away from them by Americans in 1898 when the Spanish, who occupied the Philippines in the 16th century left the country to the U.S.

      The Bangsamoro people, who were already deprived of freedom during the U.S. occupation, also faced harsh times due the Christian settlement policy of the Manila government, when Americans left the region to the Philippine Christians after managing it until 1946.

      Tripoli Agreement

      To realize the region's independence, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was founded in 1972 under the leadership of Nur Misuari and Hashim Salamat from the Muslim community.

      When Misuari, then MNLF leader, signed the Tripoli Agreement with the Philippines government in 1976, the group was divided into two.

      However, Salamat said the Bangsamoro Muslims deserved independence and the deal’s conditions were deception. He declared that the community had to continue negotiations until they reach freedom.

      Announcing their aim as “an independent state in southern Philippines”, Salamat formed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 1976, breaking away from the MNLF.

      Failure of Manila government

      The negotiations were disrupted as the country failed to implement the deal at sufficient level and reduced the number of towns within the scope of the agreement.

      Despite a number of negotiations between the Manila government and the MNLF, and the MILF after 1980s, no agreement could be reached.

      Meanwhile, the Moro region had some gains from the negotiations such as recognition of some religious holidays, Islamic (interest free) banking and establishment Muslim Affairs Ministry.

      In 1997, the government and the MILF initiated cease-fire talks, while MNLF became weaker.

      The MILF officially dropped its demand for full independence in 2010, seeking regional autonomy instead.

      In 2012, then President Benigno Aquino III and MILF leader Al Haj Murad Ebrahim -- who became the leader of the group after Salamat died in 2003 -- signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

      The FAB constituted a roadmap to a final settlement which would allow for an autonomous region administered by minority Muslims in the south of this predominantly Catholic country.

      The MILF and the Manila government also signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014, paving the way for the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

      The 2014 deal brought to a close 17 years of negotiations and ended a decades-old armed conflict in the country’s south.

      President Rodrigo Duterte speeds up the process

      Moro peace talks gained momentum when Rodrigo Duterte came to power as the president in 2016.

      Duterte pledged during election campaigns to end the conflict in the region.

      The same year, the MILF -- which has around 12,000 armed members -- and the central government agreed to form the ARMM.

      In 2017, the MILF submitted the draft BOL, which was prepared within the scope of peace agreement reached with the government, to Duterte.

      This draft law was the latest significant attempt between the parties to end to nearly half a century of on-and-off conflict that has left more than 120,000 people dead and hampered development in the region.

      The same year in May, the Congress approved the law, which provided for an autonomous region on Mindanao island.

      On July 26, 2018, Duterte signed the landmark BOL.

      In July 2018, Duterte presented the law to the MILF’s Ebrahim during a ceremony held at Malacanang Palace, where he said they ended decades-long conflict.

      While the establishment of the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the result of negotiations between the government and the MNLF, the Bangsamoro Organic Law has been forged as a result of the peace agreement that the MILF signed with former President Benigno Aquino III in 2014.


      Autonomy agreement

      The BOL, which entered into force with Duterte’s signature, will increase legal and economic gains of the Muslims in the region.

      With the establishment of the Bangsamoro government, the courts of Islamic Law will be opened in the region.

      Regional authorities will be handed over to the Bangsamoro government from the Manila government.

      MILF will decommission 40,000 combatants of its Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAFF) when the BOL is ratified.


      Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
      Facebook Facebook Twitter Google LinkedIn

      related news

      Philippines: Most of N.Cotabato set to join Moro region
      Philippines: Most of N.Cotabato set to join Moro region
      Philippines mulls name change
      Philippines mulls name change
      2nd round of plebiscite in southern Philippines ends
      2nd round of plebiscite in southern Philippines ends
      2nd round of Philippine Muslim autonomy poll imminent
      2nd round of Philippine Muslim autonomy poll imminent
      Suspects ‘surrender’ in Philippines church bombing case
      Suspects ‘surrender’ in Philippines church bombing case
      Indonesia waits for Philippines inquiry to name bombers
      Indonesia waits for Philippines inquiry to name bombers

      Related Galleries

      today's headlines

      23 : 33
      americas

      US policy on Syria 'mystery': French FM

      23 : 15
      europe

      Germany eyes closer cooperation with Astana format

      22 : 57
      asia - pacific

      Decades since Soviets left, war hangs heavy on Afghans

      22 : 32
      asia - pacific

      Myanmar: 2 get death penalty for Muslim lawyer’s murder

      22 : 29
      middle east

      UN urges Israel to lift Palestinian movement limits

      21 : 36
      Turkey

      Famed Turkish musician urges youth to be fearless

      21 : 29
      life

      US announces $60m in aid for Rohingya in Bangladesh

      21 : 22
      europe

      'Tough for Europe Muslims': Turkish-Belgian politician

      21 : 19
      asia - pacific

      Condemnations pour in against Kashmir bombing

      21 : 11
      world

      Charity says conflicts kill 100,000 children annually

      21 : 09
      middle east

      KDP, PUK come to agreement over Kurd region gov’t

      21 : 04
      politics

      EU solidarity with Ireland will not falter: Irish PM

      20 : 53
      Turkey

      Turkish gold refinery denies alleged trade with Caracas

      20 : 49
      middle east

      Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi to move offices outside cities

      20 : 43
      americas

      Trump's response to Khashoggi concerns US senator

      20 : 38
      sports

      FIFA chief: ‘Turkey can host major football events’

      19 : 57
      middle east

      Gaza rallies continue for 47th consecutive Friday

      19 : 52
      americas

      Trump to make Syria announcement in 24 hours

      19 : 37
      politics

      Trump circumvents Congress to build Mexico border wall

      19 : 29
      Turkey

      Economic markers on the rise: Turkish finance minister

      analysis news

      • West trying to undermine Turkey’s fight against PKK
      • 'Nothing is agreed': 50 days remaining before Brexit
      • US interventionism in Venezuela: A story of duplicity
      • Safe zone: Turkey is (and was) right about it
      • ANALYSIS - Turkey’s five objectives for safe zone in NE Syria

      • Over a century of struggle for freedom: Bangsamoro
      1 / 1

      Over a century of struggle for freedom: Bangsamoro

      • Jamal Khashoggi
      • analysis news
      • corporate news
      • education
      • life
      • science-technology
      • photo
      • video
      • up
      Anadolu Agency

      corporate

      • history
      • editorial guideliness
      • social media policies
      • ethics commission
      • executive team
      • domestic offices
      • international offices
      • media center
      • contact
      • quality management
      • Privacy and Cookies Policy
      • Information Policy
      • subscription requests
      • announcement service

      • company news
      • finance terminal
      • anadolu images
      • energy terminal
      • news academy

      mobile services

      • iPhone application
      • iPad application
      • Android application
      • Windows application
      We use cookies in a limited and restricted manner for specific purposes. For more details, you can see "our data policy".
      Accept
      © Anadolu Agency 2019