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Island holds autonomy referendum

VOTING is underway in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in a referendum that could see the creation of an autonomous region as the government tries to bring an end to unrest and attacks from Islamist militants.

It comes as the result of peace talks between authoritarian leader Rodrigo Duterte’s government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which agreed a deal signed by the Congress of the Philippines last year.

Under the plans, the group agreed to give up their aim of an independent state in exchange for autonomy, with around 40,000 fighters giving up their arms as part of the peace process. It potentially brings an end to a bloody half-century of fighting that has left more than 100,000 dead.

Mr Duterte urged the people of Mindanao to back the referendum and elect leaders that “truly represent and understand the needs of the Muslim people.”

More than two million ballot papers have been issued with results expected on Friday. 

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