A Glimmer of Hope in Mindanao's Long Road to Peace The Philippines' most troubled region will hold its first parliamentary elections on Monday, a milestone marking a crucial step towards lasting peace and self determination for its people.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been established from the southern third of the archipelago, where centuries of colonialism and land disputes have created an entrenched culture of insurgency.
The region's 2. 4 million voters will head to the polls on Monday, with election officials aiming for a respectable 80% turnout in what promises to be a closely watched contest.