COTABATO CITY, Philippines -- Voters in the Philippines' conflict-ridden southern islands have overwhelmingly backed the creation of a new Muslim region with greater autonomy from the national government.
In a referendum on Monday, 98% of voters in two provinces that together account for 40% of the electorate backed the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. A partial count released by the election commission shows that two of the three remaining provinces have voted for inclusion in the new region.
