In March 1970 , a gun battle in Upi , Cotabato , exposed the existence of '' Ilagas '' ( rats ) who were trained and systematic in attacking Muslims and were backed by Christian mayors to ensure that political power is kept by Christians in the wake of the upcoming 1971 elections . Other scholars have argued that the anti-Moro Ilaga Movement was actually in response to the declaration of the MIM as the Christians were “ frightened ” . In response to the attacks by the Ilagas , the Blackshirts and Barracudas ( the private army of Ali Dimaporo , a Muslim congressman of the Nationalista party ) were formed and trained to engage in gang warfare against the Ilagas . The Blackshirts were claimed to be financially backed by Matalam to mobilise fighting squads to launch attacks against Christians but this claim can not be proven . During this period , one notable incident would be the Manili massacre in June 1971 which claimed the lives of Muslims in a mosque in Manili when unarmed Muslims were shot by government officials and Christian civilians
Manili massacre
Manili massacre
Muslim Independence Movement