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Peace deal reached to end Muslim revolt in Philippines
War's death toll at least 125,000
August 30, 1996
Web posted at: 10:45 a.m. EDT (1445 GMT)JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- The Philippine government has reached an agreement with Muslim separatists to end a lengthy war that has claimed at least 125,000 lives on the southern island of Mindanao.
The pact, initialed and sealed with a handshake on Friday in Jakarta, gives more autonomy to Muslim-dominated regions of the southern Philippines -- Asia's only predominantly Roman Catholic nation. In return, the rebels dropped their demand for a separate nation.
The agreement calls for the setting up of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) as a forerunner to a Muslim autonomous region.
The agreement to end the war, which started about a quarter century ago, will formally be signed in Manila Monday by Philippine President Fidel Ramos and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari. Although the government says 125,000 died in the war, the MNLF estimates the death toll at 200,000.
Some 5 million Muslims regard the resource-rich island of Mindanao as their ancestral homeland, although they are now outnumbered three-to-one by Christians.
When the plan was first announced in June, many Christians demonstrated against it. But Ramos said Friday he was confident that, because the plan was revised, Christian opposition to the deal would fade. Among the changes -- the study of Islam in public schools will be optional, rather than mandatory.
The peace agreement is the first breakthrough in efforts by the Philippine government to resolve three insurgency movements in the country led by Muslims, communists and rightist rebels.
"We are tired of these hostilities and war and as soon as we can get peace, I think, that is better for all Filipinos and for the whole country," said Ruben Torres, of the Philippine delegation.
This is the government's first successful agreement with the Muslim rebels of the MNLF. Misuari has made it his lifetime mission to win recognition for the Muslims in Mindanao.
He helped create an army, 20,000 strong, pushing to create a separate Muslim state. But, through the years of conflict, he said he was forced to take a more constructive, moderate stand.
"There is no clear-cut victor in the battlefield, either on their part or on our part," said Misuari. "There has been a stalemate and this stalemate has been going on for years on end."
Under the agreement, Misuari and the MNLF will be put in charge of a special council to oversee development projects in 14 provinces in Mindanao.
After three years, a plebiscite will be held asking residents if they want to be part of a Muslim autonomous region.
The agreement also paves the way for a regional economic zone linking Mindanao with Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
Indonesian President Suharto, whose country mediated the negotiations, said the peaceful settlement of the rebellion would be a positive contribution toward efforts by the seven- nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to establish a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality in the region.
"Throughout the peace process, there has been a building of confidence and trust between the Philippines and Indonesia which should bode well for their common prosperity," he said.
Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa, the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Philippine army, rebels clash despite peace moves Aug. 28, 1996
- Philippine Muslim rebellion almost over Aug. 25, 1996
- Philippines' president, rebel leader say war is over
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