Philippines Moro region vote: Who's out? Who's in?

Philippines Moro region vote: Who's out? Who's in?

Vote count underway in round 2 of referendum on autonomous Moro Muslim region in southern Philippines

By Ahmet Furkan Mercan

ANKARA (AA) - Ballot counting is underway in round two of the referendum on autonomy for Moro Muslims in the southern Philippines, with Thursday’s vote meant to decide which other areas might join the autonomous region.

Late last month, round one of the vote officially ratified the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM), but today’s vote will set its boundaries.

According to unofficial results, Yes votes are leading in Northern Cotabato, but No votes look to prevail in Lanao del Norte.

Thursday’s vote covers six towns -- Tagoloan, Balo-i, Pantar, Munai, Nunungan and Tangcal -- in northwestern Lanao del Norte and 67 residential areas in Northern Cotabato.

Except for two districts in northern Cotabato, other areas agreed to be included in the Muslim Mindanao autonomous region, while the constituencies in Lanao Del Norte bowed out, said unofficial results.

Northern Cotabato reportedly saw some 140,000 Yes, easily beating 70,000 No votes.

But Lanao del Norte saw 420,000 Yes votes versus 937,000 No votes.

Areas where Yes prevailed will join the new autonomous region.

-- New law in the balance

The Philippines' landmark Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was officially ratified on Jan. 25 following the Jan. 21 first round vote which granted comprehensive autonomy to Moro Muslims.

More than 1.54 million people -- over 85 percent of the local electorate -- voted in favor of the BOL, while some 190,000 voted against, according to official results.

The first vote included the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao Del Sur, and the island provinces of Basilan, Tawi-tawi and Sulu as well as the cities of Cotabato and Isabela.

-- Autonomous government

Under the BOL, courts of Islamic law will be established in the region, and the Philippines’ central government will transfer its administrative authorities in Mindanao to the Bangsamoro government.

The waters in the Bangsamoro region will be simultaneously managed by the national government as well as the Bangsamoro government.

The autonomous government will be responsible for the management of energy resources.

The Muslims will be free in their internal affairs, while they will be bound to the Philippines in foreign policy, save some flexibility.

In addition, former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters will be eligible to join official armed forces.

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