15th
century – Islam introduced into the Philippines by seafaring
Muslim traders.
16th
century – Spanish colonization of the Philippines,
Christianization & Hispanisization by the new invaders.
Muslim “Moro” rebellion begins against the Spanish.
1898
– US defeat Spain in the Spanish-American War. In the Treaty
of Paris, the Philippines are ceded to the US, but Moro
resistance continues.
World
War I – More Catholic Filipino jurisdiction over Muslim
affairs in the south.
World
War II – Japan occupies the Philippines, but fierce Moro
resistance goes on.
July
1946 – The Republic of the Philippines established. Southern
Philippines comes under the authority of Manila. Government
sponsors migration of Christian Filipinos to Muslim lands. Moro
demands for independence neglected.
1971
– Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founded by Nur Misuari.
War for independence waged against the Philippine government
begins.
1980
– Pragmatism of MNLF criticized. Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) founded by Hashim Salamat as an offshoot of the MNLF.
1989
- 1991– Filipino veterans of the Soviet-Afghan War return,
join either the MILF or create a new organization by the name of
Abu Sayyaf.
1996
– Treaty signed between the MNLF and the government of the
Philippines. Treaty grants limited autonomy for Muslims in the
south. MILF and Abu Sayyaf reject treaty and continue fighting.
