Amidst the ceaseless struggle between the government and the radical Islamic groups in the Philippine island of Mindanao, a new hope for peace and unity has dawned in this "Promised Land," as Mindanao is often called. On August 18, 2008, due to the failed signing of the Memorandum of Agreement declaring parts of the province of Lanao del Norte to be under the autonomy of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the MILF group attacked 3 towns of Lanao del Norte, setting houses, schools and communities on fire; thus, killing dozens of children and other civilians. This unpleasant incident triggered the war in Mindanao.