As reported by Reuters, and reproduced in Australia's ABC news.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-07/philippines-agrees-to-peace-deal-with-muslim-rebels/4299960

'Philippines Agrees To Peace Deal With Muslim Rebels'

'The Philippine government says it has reached a peace deal with the country's largest Muslim rebel group.

'The deal follows long negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to end the 40 year insurgency that has killed more than 120,000 people.

'Insurgency'.  Jihad.  And I would hazard the guess that the majority of the victims were killed by the Muslims, rather than by the non-Muslim side. - CM

'It provides for the creation of a new autonomous region in Muslim-majority areas in the south of the country.

'Muslim-majority' areas.  One wonders how long it will be, before all the non-Muslims currently there present are driven out. - CM

'President Benigno Aquino says [the] two sides reached the deal for the resource-rich region (which is dirt-poor, primarily because of the deadening effect of Islam upon the population - CM) during talks in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

"This agreement creates a new political entity and it deserves a name that symbolises and honours the struggles of our forebears in Mindanao and celebrates the history and character of that part of our nation.  That name will be Bangsamoro", he announced, via a live broadcast from the presidential palace.

"This framework agreement is about rising above our prejudices.  It is about casting aside the distrust and myopia that has plagued the efforts of the past".

'The agreement is expected to be signed in the coming days.

'Zainuddin Malang, executive director of the Mindanao Human Rights Action Centre, a civil society group monitoring an existing truce in the region, says the two sides must take extra caution in their next steps.

"This agreement is merely an opportunity to end the conflict.  The actual end of the conflict can only come from its successful implementation. We can only hope this agreement won't suffer the fate of prior agreements", he said.

Which all went up in smoke.  And why did that happen?  Because Muslims do not have to keep any agreement or treaty that they may make - for temporary, tactical advantage - with non-Muslims. - CM

"What is very important here is that we have a president who has so much political capital, backing the framework agreement, so the chances are higher, to end the conflict".

He's a Muslim.  He knows that from a Muslim point of view, the only possible, imaginable 'end' of the 'conflict' is the Imposition of Muslim rule - and of the sharia - across the entirety of the Philippines.

And now - as reported in the 'Inquirer', a Filipino news outlet -  we see the UK, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, and the UN naively applauding what will most assuredly turn out, sooner or later, to have been nothing more than a temporary 'timeout' during which the Muslim side increased its strength preparatory to relaunching the Jihad.  

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/52266/uk-japan-laud-ph-milf-peace-pact

'UK, Japan laud PH-MILF peace pact'

"The British and Japanese governments welcomed the preliminary peace pact reached between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) saying that the deal was a huge step towards lasting regional peace and stability in Mindanao.

No.  It isn't.  It can't be. Because jihad never ends; it can't end, Muslims cannot end it until there is nowhere left in the world where Muslims do not rule. - CM

"This is a testament to the commitment and vision of the parties.  The agreement has the potential finally to end the long-running conflict.", British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement after President Benigno Aquino III annonced Sunday the drafting of a framework agreement between the government and the MILF.  "Full implementation of the agreement by 2016 can bring about peace, security and development.  That will be good not only for Mindanao, but for the whole of the Philippines," Hague said.

'British ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie underscored the importance of commitment to peace, citing as example his country's experiences in negotiating a peace deal with Northern Ireland...

Peace deals between two sides  who have each been shaped by Christianity, with its ethos of repentance, restitution, forgiveness and cooperation, and its emphasis on covenant-keeping, on truth and troth, are one thing.  'Peace' deals between Muslims, on the one hand, and non-Muslims, on the other, are something else entirely.  For Muslims are repeatedly forbidden to befriend - or to take for allies, or to enter into agreements with - non-Muslims.  - CM

'Japan also hailed the deal and recognized the efforts made by the Philippine government, [and] the MILF, as well as the Malaysian government for its role as facilitator in the peace talks.

'Japan strongly hopes that both parties will steadily implement the contents of the Framework Agreement and continue their persistent negotiation efforts towards the early realization of the final agreement", said a statement issued by the Japanese embassy...

'Japan, in its statement, noted that it would continue with funding development projects to help develop Mindanao, particularly through sending of experts on development to the International Monitoring Team, economic cooperation projects such as extending Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security in former conflict-affected areas under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development, and continued participation in the ICG (International Contact group).

Money down the drain...The 'peace' will not last.  The agreement will be broken...by the Muslims, though they will, with their usual sleight-of-hand, probably manage to make it look as though the fault is that of the non-Muslim side.  Sooner or later, the jihad will restart. How do I know?  Treaty of Hudaybiyya, Treaty of Hudaybiyya, Treaty of Hudaybiyya.  Hugh's classic essay, written with an eye to a different but equally futile 'peace process', is as relevant to the Philippines as it is to the Middle East. 

http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_direct_link.cfm/blog_id/44065

However, blissfully or wilfully ignorant, Australia and Switzerland, too, seem to think that now everything will be wonderful in the Philippines.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/52272/australia-switzerland-join-other-governments-in-lauding-ph-milf-peace-pact

'Australia, Switzerland join other governments in lauding PH-MILF peace pact''

MANILA, Philippines - The governments of Australia and Switzerland joined other nations in welcoming the preliminary peace agreement reached between the Philippine government and the Moro-Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying that it brought hope that the decades-long conflict in Mindanao could be drawing to a close.

"This agreement is testament to the commitment of both the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to the concept of a peaceful settlement", Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said in a statement Monday...

'Carr, in his statement, also noted Australia's support to peace and security in Mindanao through its aid program, which he said focused on improving the quality of and access to basic education across 3,000 schools, including Islamic pre-schools in conflict-affected areas.

'Islamic pre-schools'.  Australia has been funding Islamic pre-schools in the jihad-wracked Southern Philippines. I would very much like to know what is on the curriculum.  Anything like what is taught in preschool in Gaza? - CM

'Meanwhile the Switzerland's Department of Affairs issued a similar statement welcoming the peace agreement, saying it was hopeful that parties would adhere to the provisions of the framework "in view of the establishment of the Bangsamoro in the region of Mindanao".  

"Switzerland further hopes that the conclusion of this agreement will contribute towards the resolution of other internal conflicts, and positively influence the stability of the country", it said in the statement...

And now for the Filipino politicians, both Muslims (who know very well just how flimsy this 'peace' will be) and non-Muslims (who seem to have no idea at all):

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/52242/lawmakers-laud-govt-milf-peace-framework

'Lawmakers laud govt-MILF peace framework'

I encourage people reading this to click on the link as there is a picture of a large group of armed men, captioned :'WAIT AND SEE.  Members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) line up inside their camp in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao, as the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) agreed on a peace framework.  Leaders of the BIFF, which broke away from the MILF (Mary Jackson, stop sniggering, I can hear you..- CM) have adopted a wait-and-see attitude toward the peace process. "

'The government's preliminary peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a step toward finding solutions to the problems that have long beset Muslim Mindanao (problems that - addled by Islam - it has largely created for itself and for the non-Muslim others - CM) and a boost to efforts to stabilize the country's internal security, Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong said Sunday.

'Loong, who chairs the Muslim affairs committee in the House of Representatives, said he believed the government and the MILF were sincere about their latest efforts to forge peace by creating a new autonomous territory called Bangsamoro, and he was, for the moment, "optimistic 100 percent" about the agreement...

If he's a Muslim, he knows full well that - from the POV of the Muslim participants - it might as well be written on toilet paper in disappearing ink. - CM

'Loong said Congress, which would write the law that would establish Bangsamoro, would have to see to it that the interests of both the government and the MILF were accommodated. It should also ensure that all legal grounds are covered, he added.

'Senators welcomed the agreement.  The Senate peace and unification committee chairman, Teofisto Guingona III, called it "a vital step forward to our shared goal of achieving just and lasting peace in Mindanao".

Dear Senator: you would not think this if you understood that what Muslims mean by 'peace' and what non-Muslims mean by 'peace' are two entirely different things. - CM

'Sen Franklin Drilon said the agreement would "open doors of opportunities for much-needed livelihood and socioeconomic progress in the entire Mindanao".

'Sen Loren Legarda said that while details of the agreement were being threshed (sic: thrashed?) out all affected parties should participate in the formulation of the final deal to ensure that the Bangsamoro people's right to self-determination would remain within national sovereignty.

It is not simply 'self-determination' that they are after, my dear lady. Getting control of a large chunk of turf is merely the first step in a much bigger program.  As was, so it happens, made abundantly clear by a Muslim contributor to the Comments at the foot of this particular article in the Inquirer..- CM

'The military said it supported the preliminary peace agreement.  In a statement, Col Amulfo Burgos Jr, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), described the framework agreement as a "significant milestone in our pursuit of a just and lasting peace for our nation.  The AFP fully adheres to the primacy of the peace process as we continue to support all the peace programs and endeavours of the government," Burgos said.  "We look forward to the sealing of the final peace agreement very soon, which will eventually bring renewed peace in Mindanao", he added.  

It won't.  Treaty of Hudaybiyya, Treaty of Hudaybiyya...is no-one ever going to do their homework? - CM

'The chief of the Philippine National Police, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, said pursuing the peace pact was "worth giving...serious attention".  "We've always been looking for genuine peace in Mindanao, and this is one good opportunity to discuss things out and be able to forge an agreement for a lasting peace", Bartolome said.

'Loong said the framework agreement may not necessarily establish an entirely new political entity since the Constitution requires an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.  "If we're going to abrogate the existing autonomy, that might be perceived as unconstitutional because the existence of an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao is mandated by a constitutional provision.  So maybe this can be discussed, the legal implication can be discussed", Loong said.

'In Mindanao, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway group from the MILF, said it would watch developments closely.  "We are applying a wait-and-see stance", said Abu Misri Mama, BIFF spokesperson.  "Anything that is good for the Bangsamoro, we will support, but if that fails, we will maintain our stance, and that is independence for Mindanao", Mama told the Inquirer by phone.  "If it succeeds, then we will support and recognize it", Mama said.

'Ricky Juliano, vice president for Mindanao of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said the business community in Mindanao, especially in Muslim Mindanao, welcomed the framework agreement.  "It will surely improve the business climate and then the quality of life of all Mindanaoans", Juliano said.

Give it no more than ten years.  The jihad will resume after that, if not before.- CM

'Maguindanao Gov Esmael Mangudadatu also welcomed the agreement.  "A genuine and acceptable peace pact between the government and the MILF will definitely usher in peace and sustainable development to Mindanao", he said.

He's a Muslim.  Observe the weasel words - 'genuine and acceptable'. In other words, he's already hinting that if it is not deemed 'genuine' and 'acceptable'...by the Muslims...then...   - CM

'The United States and the Japanese governments welcomed the framework agreement.  "We welcome the announcement by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that the two sides finalized a framework peace agreement", US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas said in a statement.  Thomas said he hoped the agreement, once signed, would lead to lasting peace and economic prosperity in Mindanao...

'Both Japan and the United States supported the peace process, funding development projects to encourage peace negotiations and help develop Mindanao.

Money down the drain. Money down the drain.  - CM

"While much work remains, successful implementation of this agreement would improve security, stability and development for the people of Mindanao.  We fully support the ongoing peace process and hope the parties can continue to avoid violence as they work toward a final resolution that will last for generations and benefit all the people of the Philippines," Thomas said.

There were Comments attached to this particular report.  The commenters seemed rather less sanguine than the politicians and diplomats.  

One NeverWint3r remarked, re the MILF - "They get to keep their arms and weapons and they can outgun the afp, so how will the milf deal with these supposed 'breakway' groups like BIFF ,,,they're just political tools to pressure the govt, can we trust these muslims?  Also, it's so suspicious why only 10 % of any provincial population is needed to join the bangsamoro territory, why do the minority muslims can get to impose their will on the other 90 % christians?  so the milf will just migrate to the other provinces until they can fulfil the 10 % and continue doing so until the whole mindanao is a part of bangsamoro.  did the government thought of this??"

And 'Turmoil1' said - 'to have peace someone needs to disarm, will the MILF be the watch dogs of the south and answer to imperial manila, or will there be a need for the army to be there?

One 'Curatolo' observed, 'Now that the MILF and the govt has agreed to the preliminary peace talks.  Now we have the BIFF waiting to see what happens.  This looks familiar.  When the MNLF and govt signed the peace talks, the MILF was on the same wait and see stance.  Then, they started the war again in Mindanao. Are this the same dogs with the different collars?  Are this people trying to fool the govt?  I think they don't want peace in Mindanao. They may have a different agenda".

The sensible scepticism of these Filipino non-Muslims was confirmed by a boastful Muslim, calling himself 'Abdusallam', who told one of them: "There will be no peace until all of the Philippines is returned to its rightful Muslim owners, you thick-headed Christian pig".

He was promptly challenged by a Communist, and by one or two other posters, including one 'Bentot Ako' who asked him, "Have you watched The Innocence of Muslims? ...hahahaha".  (It appears that that film is really getting about.  Who knows, it may succeed in educating the non-Muslim world to an extent exceeding its makers' wildest dreams - CM).

The Muslim continued stating the jihad agenda in the plainest possible terms, exposing just why all the pious hopes expressed by the politicians and diplomats in connection with this spurious and temporary 'peace' agreement are so much hot air: "Soon Mosques will replace the dirty Christian churches and all Christian pigs will be driven away into the seas where they all came from", and then, in another posting, "Thank Allah Sharia law will finally be imposed in Mindanao.  All of the Philippines should follow this great example in the name of peace".  To which the Communist, 'Wong Fei Hong', shot back, "Shariah law is not applicable rule for everyone...why?  Because that STUPID law has been design to manipulate human rights and it only in favor of those FOOLISH masters of faith  not in the people...".  But the Muslim persisted: "Islam is designed to rule the Philippines my dear Christian Pig.  Piece by piece Mindanao will be liberated (sic: enslaved - CM) by our brave Muslim freedom fighters (sic: sharia pushers - CM) and soon our Jihad will come to Visayas and Luzon.  (In other words: the Muslims don't just want 'self-determination' in part of Mindanao; they want everything, all of the Philippines. Are you listening, Filipino non-Muslim politicians, police, generals? Are you listening, foreign non-Muslim governments?  This boastful, threatening Muslim in the Comments section of the Inquirer is telling you exactly what the Muslims are after, in the long run.  Islam, Islam, Ueber Alles. - CM). You cannot stop Islam."

However, the UN does not appear to have heard the likes of 'abdusallam', any more than anyone else is.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/52312/un-praises-philippines-muslim-rebel-peace-deal

'UN praises Philippines-Muslim rebel peace deal'

'UN Secretary Ban-Ki Moon MOnday praised the agreement on a peace accord ending a decades-long Muslim separatist insurgency that killed 150,000 people, offering UN aid 'as needed'.

In other words, the Muslims in Mindanao will get a lot of UN money; but the jihad will begin again, I guarantee it. - CM

'The agreement would see the establishment of a new semi-autonomous Muslim area in the resource-rich Mindanao, which the 12,000 strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front regards as its ancestral homeland.

'Ban commended "President Benigno Aquino for his vision and courage, as well as the commitment of the MILF leadership, in reaching this landmark achievement", according to a UN statement.

'The secretary-general expressed "his heartfelt wishes for peace and prosperity to the government and the people of the Philppines" and in particular the people in the new semi-autonomous region, called Bangsamoro.

'Mindanao served as a base for the MILF, the biggest and most important remaining rebel group, after the Moro National Liberation Front signed a peace pact with the government in 1996.

And this time round, to play 'bad cop' to the MILF 'good cop', we already have the BIFF standing in the wings...- CM

'It is one of the most fertile and resource-rich parts in the archipelago - but decades of violence and unrest (that is, decades of jihad - CM) have left it one of the poorest regions of the Philippines.

Somehow, majority-Muslim areas within any larger majority non-Muslim country or region always seem to be 'poorest' and are always plagued by 'violence and unrest'.  The reason? - Islam: because of the fatalism and hostility to innovation, the suspicion and aggression and zero-sum mindset that it inculcates. - CM

'The rebellion, which began in 1978, has left 150,000 dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more".

And I have no doubt that there will be more dead, and more displaced, when the jihad restarts, as it always does. Give it ten years, or less. - CM