During the administration of President Estrada, the MILF lost its battles against the Philippine armed forces and its camps were destroyed despite the clandestine support of Malaysia. During the Arroyo administration, the MILF opted for a legal approach. Unfortunately, the legal initiatives embodied in the MOA-AD were struck down by the Supreme Court. Having failed on both counts, the MILF then chose the diplomatic approach by internationalizing what was basically a domestic issue. Here it almost met with some success thanks mainly to the herculean efforts of its patron, the government of Malaysia, whose prime minister personally attended the signing of the comprehensive agreement with Bangsamoro in Malacanang. It is a source of wonder why Malaysia which illegally annexed Sabah would be considered an honest broker. The MILF was also encouraged by the US, hoping perhaps for basing rights and the British government who was hoping for a countervailing force against the Tausugs who were threatening its economic interests in Sabah. It was this foreign vested interest that underwrote the visit of President Aquino and his staff to meet with the rebel group in Tokyo thereby according the MILF-sponsored Bangsamoro the status of a belligerent state that under international law made it a sovereign state in the state of war against the republic of the Philippines.