The BMMI want both the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the U.N. to sponsor and supervise a referendum to determine the popular will of the Bangsamoro people.

The movement argues that a referendum for independence be conducted to decide upon which political issues could resolve the long drawn out Mindanao conflict. They claim that a referendum is the only manner in which to bring the conflict to a peaceful, just and democratic end.

The issues to be solved in such a referendum would include the establishment of an independent Islamic state, the formation of a state of federal union with the Republic of the Philippines, and the granting of autonomy to the South.

Ethnic Muslims have pressed before for such a referendum. Earlier this year, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) called for a referendum to be held on the secession of Mindanao under the supervision of the United Nations. The Philippine government rejected the proposal and instead, offered to hold peace talks in the region.

Peace negotiations are currently stalled, with both the Philippine government and Muslims distrusting the talks.

Moro Muslims in the Southern Philippines are also struggling for an independent Islamic state.

The MILF does not recognize the current Autonomous regions of Mindanao, which fall under the governorship of rival Nur Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

MILF Chairman Hashim Salamat urged the Philippine government to agree to a referendum in at least five provinces in Mindanao - Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi. Populations within these provinces are predominantly Muslim.

Under Salamat's proposal, all inhabitants of the provinces, including Christians, would be asked to vote on whether or not they prefer to remain under the control of the Philippine national government.

Estrada has promised Filipinos he would keep the country united, integrating the Muslims within the society, while also raising the standard of living of Muslims in these five provinces.

He has offered a truce to the MILF and has, this weekend, cleared the names of 50 top MILF activists, including leader Hashim Salamat, Vice Chair for Political Affairs Al Haj Murad and spokesperson Eid Kabalu.

The Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination has been one spanning generations of Moros. According to the Kadtuntaya Foundation, the struggle, initiating in the 16th century, is the longest in Asia, and maybe the entire world.

Bangsamoro is the generic name for the 13 ethno-linguistic Muslim tribes in the Philippines that constitute a quarter of the population in Mindanao in the Southern Philippines.

They number from five to six million and are found in every major island of the country sharing a common belief in Islam.

Of the 13 groups, the Manguindanaons (people of the flooded plains); the Maranaos, or people living around the lakes; and the Tausugs, people of the current; are the major tribes.

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