The AFP had to deploy in the early years of martial rule about half of its combat forces in the Moro areas, especially in Southwest Mindanao, where it suffered heavy losses.
Naobligang magtalaga ang AFP ng halos kalahati ng mga panlabang pwersa nito noong maagang bahagi ng batas militar sa mga eryang Moro, laluna sa Southwest Mindanao, kung saan dumanas ito ng malalaking pagkatalo.