Mapping of a new Muslim autonomous region in the southern Philippines began Wednesday with a special panel formed to draft legislation under a preliminary peace deal. Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating team, urged lawmakers to support the commission's work as it aims to create a new autonomous entity that would "embody the Bangsamoro ideals and aspirations." "To pass the basic law is to affirm the possibility of political assertion and settlement and relegate armed struggle into the domain of history," he was quoted as saying by DPA. The 15-member panel was created after the government and the MILF signed a framework peace agreement in October calling for a new autonomous entity called Bangsamoro by 2016. Chief government negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer said the two sides would meet again next week to discuss remaining annexes on power-sharing, wealth-sharing and demobilization of rebel fighters.
