the moros had a history of resistance against spanish, american, and japanese rule for over 400 years. the violent armed struggle against the japanese, filipinos, spanish, and americans is considered by modern moro muslim leaders as part of the four centuries long "national liberation movement" of the bangsamoro (moro nation), although the term is only used in mainland mindanao as those in the sulu archipelago had a much distinct culture. the 400-year-long resistance against the japanese, americans, and spanish by the moro muslims persisted and morphed into a war for independence against the philippine state.