Philippines govt signs historic peace deal with Muslim rebels

The peace accord signed between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is a major step towards achieving a settlement plan that proposes the establishment of a new autonomous Muslim-administered region.

The Peace Agreement was signed in the presence of President Benigno Acquino, MILF Chief Murad Ebrahim and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who facilitated the negotiations, at Manila's Malacanang presidential palace.

The insurgency by MILF for an independent homeland has claimed thousands of lives and stagnated development of the natural resources endowed region.

The Bangsamoro agreement, as it is being termed, envisages the establishment of a 15-member Transition Commission to draft a bill creating a new autonomous Muslim-administered region to be called Bangsamoro.

President Aquino said the signing of the Framework Agreement can finally bring genuine and lasting peace in violence-wracked Mindanao province.

"We commit to peace: a peace that will be sustained through democratic ideals; a peace that heals and empowers," he said.

Under the proposals agreed upon by both sides, the MILF would give up its demand for an independent homeland in the Mindanao province un return for power sharing.

MILF chief Ebrahim said the agreement is "the most important, landmark document in history that restores Bangsamoro identity and homeland".

Najib said his country will stand by the MILF and the Philippine government to make the agreement work.

"Today we turn our backs on violence and turn instead towards a brighter future," he said.

President Aquino and Ebrahim held a historic meeting ahead of the signing of the accord, which outlines steps towards a final resolution to the conflict by 2016.

The Congress will also deliberate on and have to approve the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will govern the residents in the proposed region.

Chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen said the Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will continue to exist until Congress makes a new law.

Both parties have however been cautious in their optimism to the agreement, well aware of the difficulties in implementing the accord on ground.

"As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Much work remains to be done in order to fully reap the fruits of this framework agreement," Aquino said in his speech.

The rebels have been waging an insurgency for independence in Mindanao region.