Duterte to sign off on Muslim self-rule for Mindanao in counter-extremism drive

‘Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to push through long-delayed legislation giving autonomy to predominantly-Muslim parts of the embattled southern island of Mindanao.
It’s hoped the move will stem the rise of extremism in a region which has seen 500 people killed and thousands more displaced during the most recent conflict between Philippines forces and militants linked to the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in the island’s capital city of Marawi.
“This moment is a significant step forward in our quest to end centuries of hatred, mistrust and injustice that cost and affected the lives of millions of Filipinos,” Duterte said in a speech Monday, as cited by Reuters.’
Read more: Duterte to sign off on Muslim self-rule for Mindanao in counter-extremism drive