Mindanao Referendum: Filipino Muslims Vote to Seek Autonomous Region

Local Editor

Nearly three million people in the volatile Mindanao region of the Philippines are voting in a referendum which could see some areas given greater autonomy.

They have been asked whether they back a plan by separatists to create a self-administered area known as Bangsamoro.

The vote is a political solution to decades of fighting between Muslim separatists and the Philippine army.

More than 120,000 people have died in the years of violence.

Final results are expected by Friday, and a "yes" vote is widely expected.

The vote is the result of a peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) - which has for decades been fighting for independence.

The Philippines government has so far failed to bring about peace in the region.

But the MILF fighters have said they will give up their push for an independent region in return for greater rule over the new region.

They say this is the best way to help them rein in the smaller, more radical groups - some with links to the Wahhabi Daesh [Arabic acronym for “ISIS” / “ISIL”] - which have emerged in recent years.

People are being asked whether a region called the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region should be created in majority-Muslim areas of Mindanao.

The move would transfer some powers from the central government, bring in more funding and give the region greater control of the its resources.

The new region would have its own elections in 2022, and constituents would be able to vote for its own parliament and a chief ministry.

The government in Manila would still oversee policing and security.

The MILF would be expected to become a significant political force in the new region.

If it proves successful, it could lead to the establishment of a federal political system across the Philippines.

Mindanao has seen a huge amount of violence in recent years - mainly between the army, Muslim separatists and other militant groups.

The violence has left Mindanao one of the poorest regions in the Philippines.

The entire region of Mindanao is still under martial law, which was implemented in 2017 after clashes between the army and militants linked to Daesh.

Martial law allows the use of the military to enforce law and the detention of people without charge for long periods.

It is expected to be in place until the end of 2019.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team