The largest Muslim separatist group in South Philippines refused to drop its demand for an independent Islamic state ..

"We will not compromise our demand for independence", said Ghazali Jaafar, vice chairman for political affairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). "Our demand is non-negotiable - a strict Islamic state, nothing less"

President Joseph Estrade said his administration would pursue peace negotiations with the MILF, but stressed that any agreement ... must be within the framework of the ... Constitution ... (Source: The Muslim World, Karachi, 9 January, 1999)