Philippine Muslim rebels take crucial step on path to pact

The Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group has taken a crucial step in ending decades of conflict, formally submitting to the president a final proposal for self-rule that both it and the government have agreed on, a presidential adviser said. The two sides signed a deal in March to end nearly five decades of conflict on the resource-rich southern island of Mindanao but hopes for peace were thrown into doubt this month when the rebels accused the government of reneging on the pact. Big companies such as food processor Del Monte Pacific Limited, which has a pineapple plantation in Mindanao, said they were considering expanding operations after the deal but most have held back pending evidence of real peace. Read More http://ift.tt/1oTV3ra