Philippines: Fractionalization Among Mindanao's Militants

Insurgents associated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) engaged the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Southern Mindanao on Jan. 10 in the biggest skirmish since a cease-fire took effect in July 2003. MILF has been quick to disassociate itself with the insurgents, saying they were a breakaway faction of the group that has aligned itself with the Abu Sofia bandit group. As MILF approaches an accord with the government, it is losing control of the organization's fringe elements. If the Malaysian-brokered peace talks succeed and MILF is integrated into the Philippine political scene, Mindanao will have exchanged one Islamist separatist group for numerous smaller criminal gangs spawned by its rogue elements.