Philippines, Muslim rebels sign peace pact - Yahoo! News Philippines: "President Benigno Aquino, who has driven the process since assuming office in 2010, also hailed the agreement as a chance to "finally achieve genuine, lasting peace".
Ebrahim became the first MILF chief to visit the presidential palace, signifying the optimism from both sides about finally ending a conflict that has claimed 150,000 lives and the priority Aquino has put on achieving peace. Under the plan, the 12,000-strong MILF would give up its quest for an independent homeland in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao in return for significant power and wealth sharing in a new autonomous region there."
A Muslim girl flashes the peace sign after a nationwide peace caravan from Mindanao to Malacanang arrived to show its support for the signing of a framework agreement, during a vigil near Malacanang palace in Manila October 14, 2012. The Philippine government and Muslim rebels will sign on Monday the framework agreement to end a 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people, paving the way for a political and economic revival of the country's troubled south. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS)
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