The establishment of the autonomous BARMM region (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) in 2019 was intended to bring the tormented armed conflict Mindanao, the second largest island of the Philippines, a long-awaited calm. Especially since this decision was supported by the local population who participated in the plebiscite at the time. The establishment of BARMM was the fruit of respective years of negotiations between the authorities in most Catholic Philippines with Muslim separatists from MILF (Moro muslim Liberation Front), thus formed in 1977 by the muslim Liberation Front of Moro (most Sunni). This has helped to reduce tensions between central authorities and the region, where at least part of the population feels marginalised and persecuted, and to end the armed conflict that has lasted for 50 years.
