INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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The vote could end decades of violence
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 Islamist separatists and the Philippine armyMore than 120,000 people have died in the years of violence.Final
results are expected by Friday, and a "yes" vote is widely expected.Why is this significantThe 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
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Mindanao has been wrecked by violence over the years
The
Philippines government has so far failed to bring about peace in the region
But the MILF rebels 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 so-called Islamic State - which
have emerged in recent years
What exactly are people voting forThey 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
Why is Mindanao so volatileThe Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country but Mindanao has a significant Muslim population
Many regard the region as their ancestral homeland, dating back to the 13th century when Arab traders first arrived, and over the decades
various rebel groups sprang up demanding the right to self-rule
Mindanao has seen a huge amount of violence in recent years - mainly between the army, Muslim separatists and other rebels.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 the Islamic State.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.
