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In Pictures: Life in Philippine rebel bastion

On a day the government and rebels signed a peace deal, Al Jazeera showcases pictures from war-ravaged Mindanao island.

A group of children play with a Muslim rebel during a lull in fighting inside the rebel(***)s Camp Darapanan on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.
By Pat Roque
Published On 15 Oct 2012

After more than 40 years of fighting, the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels have signed a preliminary peace agreement to end a conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people.

The rebels claim they face discrimination in the southern Philippines, and have demanded autonomy for Muslims in the Mindanao island region.

Benigno Aquino, president of the Philippines, has said the deal “paves the way for a final enduring peace in Mindanao”. The agreement includes an expanded system of Islamic law for Muslims, while granting more autonomy to local authorities in Muslim areas. 

The rebel army is estimated at 10,000 strong. Thousands of local people on Mindanao island have been caught up in the decades of violence and many have been displaced. Most civilians are hoping the preliminary deal will bring normalcy to their often difficult lives. 

“We just want to be left alone, to live in peace. We have nothing to do with that fighting,” said villager Mary Jane Dakan, who has seen many of her loved ones killed. 

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Aquino said the peace deal will reintegrate former fighters back into society. “Hands that once held rifles will be put to use tilling land, selling produce, manning workstations and opening doors of opportunity for other citizens,” Aquino said recently.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has been fighting the Philippine government for more than 40 years.
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A young boy hides behind a Muslim rebel inside Camp Darapanan on Mindanao island.
A girl smiles with other Filipino Muslims in a store on Mindanao.
A group of children play at a local market, as residents have tried to live normal lives during decades of fighting.
Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front pass a mosque as they patrol inside the rebel(***)s camp.
Young men on a motorcycle pass through a checkpoint manned by Muslim rebels. Human rights abuses have been committed by both sides during the conflict.
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Jovy Usman takes care of her son inside an evacuation centre where they have been staying for 2 years in Dato Piang town.
An old woman sits outside the evacuation centre where she has lived for two years.
Women living in a centre for displaced people weave mats to earn a small income.
A displaced woman sorts out coloured grass she uses in weaving mats.
Government soldiers rest beside a mosque in Datu Salibo town on Mindanao island.
A curious boy peers out of his house as a government soldier mans his post.
A woman dries palay on the pavement as government soldiers man armoured personnel carriers.
Residents watch as armoured personnel carriers pass in Datu Salibo town on Mindanao island.