The Ilaga is a Christian militia in the Philippines that operated during the 1970s in Southern Mindanao and fought against Moro Islamist terrorists. Increased tensions in the Philippines since August 2008 have seen the reemergence of the armed vigilante group calling themselves the Bag-ong Ilaga. On 4 August 2008, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), a previously “initialled” document. In the succeeding days, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters launched attacks against civilians in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Saranggani provinces, and sporadic fighting between the security forces and the MILF followed. On 14 October the Supreme Court ruled that the MOA-AD was unconstitutional, leading to fears of further escalation of the conflict.The village of Bagolibas in the province of North Cotabato straddles a no-man’s land between Christian and Muslim communities and has been repeatedly attacked by MILF rebels in recent months.With no discernible presence of either the military or the police here, the people of Bagolibas have taken the law into their own hands reforming their legacy as Ilaga.
Guns are part of everyday life in Bagolibas, like other basic necessities such as food, water, and housing. The threat of being attacked by Moro Islamist rebels is inevitable. They have to be on the lookout 24/7. Most attacks are prone to happen during night time or while tending to their fields which are far away from the village. But still life goes on.
January 2009
Ilaga members checking their guns before moving around in the village , which is located around 500 meters from the no mans land between christian and muslim communities... an area that was repeatedly attacked by MILF rebels in recent months, Bagolibas.
Christmas procession at the local church
On the way to their fields which are located in the no mans land between christian and muslim communities, an area which was repeatedly attacked by MILF rebels.
The cantomayor family working in their fields located in the no mans land area between christian and muslim communities, an area which was attacked repeatedly by MILF rebels.
Relaxing after a day's work in the fields, Bagolibas village.
Sunset at the village of Bagolibas.
Rodel Cantomayor, second son of the village chief ( local Ilaga group leader) in the family's house.
Children saying goodbye to their parents who are going to the family fields located at the no mans land between christian and muslim communities.
The guns being used by the illaga, most of their weapons are from WW2 , when American forces fought the Japanese.
The Cantomayor family tending to their fields at the no mans land between christian and muslim communities.
The main procession marking the coming of Fiesta celebrations, one month after Christmas.
Betting and gambling on the wining chicken, at a local cock fight , which happens every day , one week before the Fiesta celebrations.
An illaga member getting ready to go out on patrol in the no mans land area between christian and muslim communities.
An illaga member with his children at their home, even children needs to know to to operate weapons, in case their parents will get injured or die while fighting muslim rebels...
Taking a break during a long day of working in the fields, at the no mans land between christian and muslim communities.
Rodel Cantomayor (c) guarding his fellow family members while they work in the fields located at the no mans land area between christian and muslim communities.
Ilaga members moving a deserted muslim shack near their fields, at the no mans land area between christian and muslim communities.
Noni, one of the Illaga elders and also one of two Shamans who are making special amulets that protect the Ilaga from bullets and arrows.
Ernesto Kagbai (62) tends to his files , he is a villager who lives in Bagolibas but does not believe in caring arms ... instead he uses his Bole (small sword) for protection.
Children waiting for their parents to return from the family fields, located at the no mans land area between christian and muslim communities.
Ilaga members checking their guns before moving around in the village , which is located around 500 meters from the no mans land between christian and muslim communities... an area that was repeatedly attacked by MILF rebels in recent months, Bagolibas.
Fixing their houses that were partially destroyed by a tornado, a day before Fiesta celebrations.
Gun culture...an illaga member with his children at their home, even children needs to know to to operate weapons, in case their parents will get injured or die while fighting muslim rebels...
Batur Ferenal , one of the Illaga elders and also one of two Shamans who are making special amulets that protect the Ilaga from bullets and arrows.