Filipino Militants Battle Against ISIS Freedom Fighters In Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 22: Moro Islamic Liberation Front Fighters on a supply run to support fellow fighters on the front line against extremist on August 22, 2017 in Maguindanao Province, Philippines. Philippines' largest Muslim militant group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) started an offensive attack against Muslim extremists who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) more then 2 weeks ago in Maguindanao as an effort to stop IS influence from spreading in the volatile island of Mindanao.The MILF militant group recently forged a peace agreement with the Philippines government while pushing for an autonomous state in Mindanao and warned that a failed attempt could lead to more of its people towards extremism. "Massive corruption and extreme poverty is still the reason why people join these extremist groups who has money. But we, as Muslims do not believe in what they are doing. " says MILF fighter Moreed Mamalangkay. Over 24,000 people have fled their homes in Maguindanao according to recent reports while the battle between ISIS linked militants and government forces in the southern Muslim city of Marawi enters its fourth month, displacing thousands of civilians and killing over 700 people. Photo by Jes Aznar/Getty Images