Philippine Muslim peace Bill to clear key hurdle

MANILA: A self-rule bill for the Philippines’ Muslim minority will likely reach Congress next week, the government said, clearing a key hurdle in efforts to end one of Asia’s longest rebellions.

The 10,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a pact with President Benigno Aquino’s government in March aimed at ending more than four decades of bloodshed that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.