I’m sure we all share the hope that peace can at last come to Mindanao and the Philippines. Well done to Keith ( Win2Win ) and Dedworth for drawing attention to this news, and Fred for your local insight . Well-wishers like me are interested but I’m no expert. See also :-

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ght=Bangsamoro
... and from a few years ago :-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ght=Bangsamoro



Most of the Philippines Muslim minority ( 5% of the population ) live in Mindanao, where the various ethnic groups call themselves Moros – after a term used by Spanish colonists long ago ( Spanish “ Moor “ , from Latin “ Maurus “ ). The main “ rebel “ group, MILF ( Moro Islamic Liberation Front ) will give up its claim to an independent homeland in return for autonomy in the new area – Bangsamoro. The present slightly smaller autonomous area of Mindanao was taken over by the government in an attempt to reduce violence and corruption.



As with the situation in Northern Ireland, rebel forces are to be “ decommissioned “ and weapons are to be put “ beyond use “. The new “ framework agreement “ ( as described by President Aquino ) or “ road map “ ( MILF’s term ) is part of a gradual process whereby trust is built up. The details have yet to be worked out.



Responsibility for the agreement appears to rest with more than one group - Malaysia as the talks’ host, and representation from other countries. The Americans have hundreds of troops in Mindanao helping Philippine forces. Naturally President Aquino would like Bangsamoro established by the time he steps down in 2016.



The risks – as in Ireland – are splinter movements, other established militants like Abu Sayyaf, clan rivalries, and of course in the Philippines " guns are the extension of politics ".



The “ bargain of autonomy for peace “ could have applied in Sri Lanka ( Tamil Tigers were defeated at a cost of thousands of civilian lives ), and might work in other countries with similar problems ( Thailand and around the borders of Myanmar ).


“ The Economist “ has two recent articles ( including " Jam to Moros " ) on the topic, which I’ve summarised above – you may not be able to access the full articles unless you’re registered :-

http://www.economist.com/node/21564562
http://www.economist.com/node/21564611


See also :-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17038024