PHILIPPINES: The government and Muslim rebels reach a landmark peace deal, signalling an end to a 40-year conflict

Record ID: 349609

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: The government and Muslim rebels reach a landmark peace deal, signalling an end to a 40-year conflict
  • Date: 8th October 2012
  • Summary: MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (FILE-1999) (REUTERS). REBEL SOLDIERS MARCHING INSIDE CAMP REBEL SOLDIERS WITH HIGH POWERED RIFLES REBEL SOLDIERS MARCHING REBEL SOLDIERS IN FORMATION AND SHOUTING: "ALLAHU AKBAR (GOD IS GREAT)"
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6SGNOB1YUZXTT4ON3CNBOPY5S
  • Story Text: The Philippine government and Muslim rebels have agreed to a peace deal for the country's troubled south, President Benigno Aquino announced on Sunday (October 7), signalling an end to a 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people and crippled the region's economy.
    "This framework agreement paves the way for final and enduring peace in Mindanao. It brings all former secessionist groups to the fold. No longer does the Moro Islamic Liberation Front aspire for a separate state," Aquino announced via a live broadcast from the presidential palace.
    The deal, reached during talks in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur over the past week, will set up a 15-member Transition Commission, which has until 2015 to draft a law creating the new entity to replace the current autonomous region.
    "Any proposed law resulting from this framework will be subject to ratification through a plebiscite. Once approved, there will be elections," Aquino said.
    The long-awaited agreement sets in place a roadmap to create a new Bangsamoro autonomous region in Muslim-dominated areas of the south of the mainly Roman Catholic country before the end of Aquino's term in 2016. Bangsamoro refers to Muslim and non-Islamic minority people in the southern Philippines.
    "National government will continue to exercise exclusive powers of defense and security, foreign policy, monetary policy and coinage, citizenship, and naturalization. The constitution and lawful processes shall govern the transition to the Bangsamoro," Aquino said.
    While obstacles still lie ahead, the deal signals a major breakthrough in trust between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separatists, who have long viewed Manila's motives in the talks with suspicion.
    Aquino was clear that there was a lot of work yet to be done.
    "The work does not end here. There are still details that both sides must hammer out. Promises must be kept, institutions must be fixed, and new capacities must be built nationally and regionally in order to effectively administer the Bangsamoro," he said.
    The new entity and its jurisdiction will be determined through a plebiscite after the passage of the organic law.
    The Muslim area will gain more political and economic powers, including imposition of taxes to cut central government subsidies, a bigger share in revenues from natural resources and a more active role in internal security.
    The deal comes as the Philippines defies its reputation as an economic laggard with strong growth and a resurgence in investor interest.
    The south's volatile and often violent politics could still hamper the plans. There is a risk that radical Islamic factions could split off from the MILF and continue fighting in a region that has a history of links with al Qaeda militants. Another threat comes from powerful clans who control some areas in the region and may fear a loss of political influence.
    After four decades of conflict and nearly 15 years of violence-interrupted talks, the MILF leaders are ageing and, analysts say, eager to see some fruit from the years of peace negotiations.
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