Philippines forges peace deal with Muslim rebels

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, announces on television that the government has reached a preliminary peace agreement with the nation's largest Muslim rebel group, in a major breakthrough toward ending a decades-long insurgency in the country's south, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. / AP Photo/Aaron Favila

MANILA, Philippines Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said Sunday that his government has reached a preliminary peace agreement with the country's largest Muslim rebel group in a major breakthrough toward ending a decades-long insurgency.

Aquino described the deal in a nationally televised announcement as a "framework agreement" — a roadmap for establishing a new autonomous region to be administered by minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation's south. It follows marathon negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Malaysia, which is brokering the talks.

The agreement, which is to be signed on Oct. 15 in Manila, spells out the general principles on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory of the Muslim region. If all goes well, a final peace deal could be reached by 2016, when Aquino's six-year term ends, officials said.

"This framework agreement paves the way for final and enduring peace in Mindanao," Aquino said, referring to the Philippines' main southern region and homeland of the country's Muslims. "This means that the hands that once held rifles will be put to use tilling land, selling produce, manning work stations and opening doorways of opportunity."

He cautioned, however, that "the work does not end here," and that the two sides need to thresh out the accord's details.

The deal marks the most significant progress in 15 years of on-and-off negotiations with the 11,000-strong Moro group on ending an uprising that has left more than 120,000 people dead, displaced about 2 million others and held back development in the south. Western governments have long worried that rebel strongholds could become breeding grounds for al Qaeda-affiliated extremists.

"The parties agree that the status quo is unacceptable," according to the 13-page agreement, seen by The Associated Press. It calls for the creation of a new Muslim autonomous region called "Bangsamoro" to replace an existing one created in 1989 which Aquino characterized as a "failed experiment," where poverty and corruption have forced many "to articulate their grievances through the barrel of a gun."

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The accord calls for the establishment of a 15-member "Transition Commission" to work out the details of the preliminary agreement and draft a law creating the new Muslim autonomous region in about two years. The proposed law has to be approved by Congress.

Rebel forces would be deactivated gradually "beyond use," the agreement said, without specifying a timetable.

The Philippine government would continue to exercise exclusive powers over defense and security, foreign and monetary policy in the new autonomous region, where Muslims would be assured of an "equitable share of taxation, revenues, and the fruits of national patrimony ... and equal protection of laws and access to impartial justice," according to Aquino.

Philippine officials said the preliminary accord would be posted on the government's website for public scrutiny, and would be signed in Manila in the presence of Aquino, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Moro rebel chief Al Haj Murad Ibrahim.

"It's been a long journey and this is an important milestone in our search for lasting peace," presidential peace talks adviser Teresita Deles told AP.

The United States, Britain, Malaysia and other countries welcomed the accord.

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[Martha12345]

I give it 6 months and then the bullets will fly. Another sucker deal from the terrorists.

[fiddlestickawshucks]

OMG.!!!!!

Can anybody besides me see where this is going to lead as far as the rest of the world is concerned.???!!!

In Europe you will already find metal signs attached to utility poles saying "This area under SHARIA Law.!

If the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan haven't taught the rest of the world anything, it should have taught us that if you give these Muskins an inch; they will eventually demand 10 miles.

There are already enclaves of Muslims living in the United States, and ; in some of these areas; the roads are guarded to keep non-Muslims out.

Obama has already planted 10 Muslims as cabinet heads; a feat he managed to accomplish by slipping them in while Congress was not in session so they would not have to be vetted.

He eliminated the National Day of Prayer for the people of the US and created a National Muslim Day of Praryer; which he attended.

Thanks to him, it is now against the law for prayers to be said at sports events, and just the other day; a group of cheerleaders had the audacity to put a religious reference on one of their banners; which immediately initiated a controversy.

Obama wants "In God We Trust" eliminated from our currency.

He has ordered any religious references (The Ten Commandments etc.) be removed from public buildings (courthouses etc.)

If Obama has his way, the words "under GOD" will be eliminated from the Pledge of Allegiance.

There are no longer any Christmas trees in the White House.

These are now referred to as Holiday trees, and people who crafted ornaments for the CHRISTMAS trees; for decades; were advised; while the White House welcomed their efforts; ornaments with any religious themes would no longer be accepted.

This is just the beginning.!!

I'm waiting for the daye he orders the Washington Monument torn down, because it is just covered with religious writings.

If "We the People" don't call a halt to this IMMEDIATELY, it's only going to keep gaining momentum as more and more radical Muslim move into this country and progress to the point where the only good Christian, Hindu, Catholic etc, is going to be a dead one.!

[icuping]

Bad idea.

[freeamerica31]

This is how we now solve the worlds problems! An armed group of Muslims doesn't and hasn't liked the fact that a pro Catholic nation doesn't bow to it's Sharia principals so they kidnap, kill, rape and link themselves to other extremist Muslims. Out of the violence the country gives in to their demands of autonomous region just for them to continue their model of Sharia.

Anyone else see something wrong with this picture. What's next other Muslim extremist wanting to conquer the Christian world and starting their own insurgency in other countries around the world?

If you can't play with others and respect others differing opinions and live under the rule of law and not religous laws then I believe were at an impasse and no country should give into violent demands to allow radicals to achieve their goals.

[ubwrong4it]

Its truly a shame all these stereo typical depiction of muslims are true

[jeannutson]

Aside the fact that the workability of this accord is greatly doubtful,the worst culprits of the war through an investigation could be the catholic majority who seems to be imposing this deal on the other side involved.

[HRPuffinstuff]

"Peace" with Muslims. Yeah, right. Only long enough for them to infiltrate deeper, gain your trust, and then they'll start killing you again.

[TheSanityInspector]

I truly hope this is the end of it. Our SF forces have been creeping through those jungles for several years, and our Christian missionaries there have been kidnapped and abused. Let Manila take away any legitimate complaint from those restive provinces, and let's see if they settle down. If they don't, then we know that Jihad for its own sake is the problem.

[abovetheprey]

No peace agreement has ever been honored by the Muslims.

[harrisonAR]

This truce is temporary. It will not stand. Muslims will break the deal.