FILE-PHILIPPINES/MALAYSIA: File footage shows chronology to peace deal between Philippine government and Muslim rebels

Record ID: 349900

  • Title: FILE-PHILIPPINES/MALAYSIA: File footage shows chronology to peace deal between Philippine government and Muslim rebels
  • Date: 25th March 2014
  • Summary: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (FILE- JANUARY 25, 2014) (REUTERS) **CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY** EXTERIOR OF VENUE (FROM LEFT) CHAIR OF THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT PEACE PANEL, MARIAM CORONEL FERRER, MALAYSIAN FACILITATOR TENGKU DATO AB GHAFAR TENGKU MOHAMED AND MILF (MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT) CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, MOHAGHER IQBAL SIGNING DOCUMENT FERRER SIGNING DOCUMENT IQBAL SI
  • Embargoed: 9th April 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malaysia
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2CTBACFXM5711L2UXEG68K7Q4
  • Story Text: The Philippine government and the largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), are due to sign a final peace agreement on March 27 in Manila. The signing will mark an end of 17 years of negotiations, hoping to end the nearly 45 years of armed rebellion by the Muslims in the south of the mainly Christian state in Southeast Asia. Following are key events that led up to the signing of the peace deal.

    The Philippine government and the largest Muslim rebel group are set to sign a final peace agreement on March 27 in Manila.
    The conclusion of the January talks, held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, paves the way for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that will allow the rebel group to set up an autonomous government to run parts of the poor, but resource-rich southern island of Mindanao -- in exchange for decommissioning their weapons.
    Two previous laws set up autonomous governments for Muslims in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic country state, but poor implementation and a lack of legitimacy meant the separatist violence continued to fester.
    The new proposed autonomous region will replace the existing five-province Muslim autonomous region, with a larger territory, expanded jurisdiction and greater powers to generate taxes.
    The Annex on Normalization was seen as particularly sensitive because it dealt with the decommissioning of the MILF's huge stockpile of weapons.
    Malaysia has hosted peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF since 2001 to end a rebellion that has killed 120,000 people and displaced 2 million.
    Once the pact is formally signed, legislators can begin in earnest drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law to formally set up the new political entity.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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