MILF

Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia have tightened international security across their borders following a rise in violence on Mindonao, a small Philippine island, threatening US-lead peace efforts in the region.

The violence is part of a continuing fallout between the majority-Christian Philippine government and a Muslim separatist group, whose truce collapsed this past August. The group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (or MILF -- I kid you not), has waged a decades-long war for autonomy and an independent Muslim state.

US led efforts at a sustainable peace seemed fruitful as plans were hatched for an independent Moro state when the Philippine government rejected the plans last August, paving the way for more MILF-led violence that has escalated since November.

The Philippine government is looking to Qatar to help with peace negotiations after Malaysia pulled out. Until then, says a resident of the island, "fear and loathing is expected to dominate life in the south, with many bracing for the worst."