Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Muslim rebels and the Philippine government overcame decades of hostilities and took their first step toward ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies with the signing of a preliminary peace pact yesterday.
The framework agreement, also called a road map to a final peace settlement which is expected by 2016, grants minority Muslims in the southern Philippines broad autonomy in exchange for ending more than 40 years of violence.
It was signed in Manila's Malacanang Palace by government negotiator Marvic Leonen and his counterpart from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Mohagher Iqbal. There to witness the historic moment were President Benigno Aquino III, rebel chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose country helped broker the deal. Mr Najib said the deal "will protect the rights of the Bangsamoro people and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines". But he also cautioned that it "does not solve all the problems, rather it sets the parameters in which peace can be found".
The 13-page document outlines agreements on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory granted for a new Muslim autonomous region to be called Bangsamoro in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments