Philippine Vote on Muslim Self-Rule Puts Christians on Edge…
Vote offers hope for end to decades of conflict; results aren’t expected for several days
http://archive.today/2019.01.21-175711/https://www.wsj.com/articles/philippine-vote-on-muslim-self-rule-puts-christians-on-edge-11548039823
COTABATO, Philippines - A Muslim-majority region in the Philippines voted on a proposal for greater self-determination, a pivotal attempt at peace that tests the fragile relationship between Muslims and a Roman Catholic minority concerned about creeping Islamic authority. To most of the four million people in the Muslim areas of the southern island of Mindanao, the vote offers a hopeful end to decades of conflict between armed groups and the government in this overwhelmingly Catholic country of 100 million people. The fighting claimed more than 100,000 lives over the years and extremist groups backed by Islamic State and al Qaeda were able to thrive.
The Front, while violent and fractured, has been a voice for moderate Islam in the region and in recent years fought alongside the government against extremists such as the Abu Sayyaf and Maute splinter groups that eventually swore allegiance to Islamic State. Cotabato Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, a Muslim, has campaigned against her city's inclusion in the self-governing region due to fear of harassment and violence from extremists, especially against Christians.
About 53% of registered voters in Cotabato identify as Christian and the remainder are Muslim, said Ms. Guiani-Sayadi, though the city's resident population is majority Muslim. Many Muslims view self-rule as a remedy for centuries of exploitation by Christians during colonization by Spain and the U.S. and later by Catholic presidents in Manila. Much of the fighting has been over Mindanao's resources - including iron ore and precious-metal mines - and its fertile soil.
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