How can the Philippine government finally end the decades-old conflict in Mindanao that has displaced thousands of people?

For Davao City Mayor and presidential front-runner Rodrigo Duterte, the war in Mindanao runs deep. He pointed out Islam was already planted firmly in Mindanao when Ferdinand Magellan landed in central Philippines in 1521.

He said conflict has been part of the south because foreign conquerors such as the Spaniards and the Americans did not know the history of the area.

"We have to talk and we have to correct the historical injustice. I tell you, as a mayor of the city of Davao, there will be no peace. There can never be a federal government if we do not talk to the NPA [New People's Army], which has been fighting us since the 70s," he said.

"You have to make the peace there bago ka makagalaw. Kung hindi mo makausap ito in peace talks, everything will fail. And I am telling now, the Republic of the Philippines, nothing will appease the Moslems, the Moro people if we do not give them the BBL [Bangsamoro Basic Law]."

Duterte said he believes that the Moro people are willing to compromise since they do not blame Christians for coming in droves to Mindanao.

"We have to talk. We cannot fight forever," he said.

COST OF WAR

From 2010 to 2015 alone, fighting in Mindanao displaced 488,254 people, 464 of whom died, according to data from the Office of Civil Defense.

The Aquino government recorded the highest number of evacuees in January 2015, when 185,433 fled their homes after the killing of top terror suspect Marwan in the Mamasapano marshlands spawned weeks of fighting.

The assault on Marwan's hideout, which also left 44 police commandos killed, sparked public outrage that derailed the peace deal with the MILF.

In 2013, 149,371 people were displaced in Zamboanga after Moro National Liberation Front rebels took over portions of the city.

The war in Mindanao also results in roughly P20 billion in economic losses every year.

From 1970 to 2001, a total of P640 billion was lost in terms of damages to businesses and properties, and wasted potential investments and businesses.

Nearly 120,000 people were also killed in hostilities between 1970 and 1996.

Half of the casualties were Moro fighters, thirty percent were soldiers and the remaining 20 percent were civilians.