The Philippines and its largest Muslim rebel group signed a peace deal yesterday that serves as a road map to forming a new autonomous region in the south, but both sides agree much more needs to be done to end more than 40 years of conflict.
A successful agreement would be a boost for Filipino president Benigno Aquino at home and among foreign investors, managing what two presidents before him failed to achieve – peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf).
Manila and Milf want to set up the region, to be known as “Bangsamoro”, in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic country before Mr Aquino steps down in 2016, giving the Muslim-dominated area greater political powers and more control over resources.