Philippines: Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels reach peace deal with government
President Benigno Aquino 3rd announced on Sunday that a deal had been reached with Muslim separatist rebels to end a decades-long insurgency that has left more than 150,000 people dead.
“This framework agreement paves the way for a final and enduring peace in Mindanao,” Aquino said, referring to the southern third of the Philippines that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) regards as its ancestral homeland.
“It brings all former secessionist groups into the fold. No longer does the Moro Islamic Liberation Front aspire for a separate state.”
Aquino said that the agreement paves the way for the creation of a new semi-autonomous Muslim region in parts of Mindanao, which is one of the country’s most resource-rich and fertile areas.