in the 1960s to 1970s the moro national liberation front which called for the self-determination of the moro people led by nur misuari as well as the new people's army which aimed for the establishment of a communist government to govern the country was established. the administration of president ferdinand marcos started negotiations with the mnlf which led to the signing of the tripoli agreement in 1976. this led to a plebiscite where people voted whether to approve or disapprove the establishment of an autonomous region in the southern philippines. the voters as well as the mnlf itself which claimed the implementation of the deal as one-sided in favor of the government rejected the plebiscite. no negotiations was made with the npa under marcos and the moro islamic liberation front (milf) broke away from the mnlf.