June 12 marks the official end of the ceasefire in Mindanao between the Philippines military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF’s continuing goal has been to establish an independent Islamic state in Mindanao. They initially pledged to resume their attacks on the 12 but are now considering extending the truce. The previous ceasefire failed to bring peace to the region, due to breaches committed by both sides. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is currently in Mindanao, and will remain despite the increased security risk, ostensibly examining different ways to encourage development and accommodate the myriad ethnic traditions in the region.
