July 17, 2008
Source: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7512401.stm
The Philippine government and a separatist rebel group have agreed to expand an autonomous Muslim region in the south of the country.
The agreement envisages the extension of the present region in Mindanao to include a further 712 villages.
The proposed homeland will also be entitled to a large share of the resources in the area.
But the deal - agreed in secret talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) - remains subject to approval.