Bangsamoro declarations of independence
The Bangsamoro are a majority-Muslim ethnic group occupying a range of territories across the southern portions of the Republic of the Philippines. On three occasions, a short-lived and unrecognized Bangsamoro state independent of the Philippines has been formally declared by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The first declaration was issued in 1974, amid the Moro conflict. "Bangsamoro Land" would be declared in 2012. In 2013, the United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik was declared. 1974. Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front issued the Proclamation of Bangsamoro Independence on April 28 , 1974. 2012. On January 15, 2012, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) declared the Independence of Bangsamoro Land (Sulu, Mindanao, Palawan, Sabah) in Valencia Bukidnon. 2013. The Bangsamoro Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on July 27, 2013 in Talipao, Sulu. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), under Nur Misuari, proclaimed the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik, officially known as the United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik, claiming the islands of Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan in the Philippines. The Bangsamoro Republik also includes Sabah and Sarawak (in Malaysia's Borneo), confirmed Emmanuel Fontanila, Misuari's counsel. Planned future  declarations. In February 2015, Nur Misuari held a meeting with MNLF leaders in Sulu to inform them on the progress of declaring a "Bangsamoro Republik of Mindanao". Misuari also ordered the consolidation of MNLF troops following reports that government forces are launching a "secret all-out military operation” against armed groups not part of the peace process in Mindanao. In 2016, Misuari accepted a federal system bid by the Philippine government, but with a condition that the Muslim Filipinos will have their own state under the proposed system. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte supports Misuari's condition, along with the House  Speaker and the Senate President. In 2017, Misuari offered aid to Duterte in his fight against ISIS in the Battle of Marawi, which Duterte accepted.