Philippine autonomous region holds first parliament poll

Voters in an autonomous region in the southern Philippines went to the polls on Monday for its first parliamentary elections. The vote is seen as a key step toward lasting peace after decades of conflict between Muslim separatist groups and the central government.

The conflict lasted more than 40 years and allegedly claimed over 120,000 lives. In 2014, the central government reached a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front -- the country's largest Muslim armed group.

On Monday, residents cast their ballots in the elections to launch an official autonomous government in the Muslim-majority region, which spans parts of Mindanao Island and some nearby islands.

The number of eligible voters was about 2.4 million. At a polling station in the major city of Cotabato, people were lined up to vote starting in the early morning.

A 28-year-old woman expressed joy at being able to cast her ballot, adding that she hopes freedom and peace will be realized in Mindanao.

Japan has been involved in the region's peace process. The country has provided support to Mindanao since the 1990s, including infrastructure development and job training for former fighters.

In 2006, Ogata Sadako, who was then the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, met the leader of a Muslim armed group in Mindanao to give momentum to the peace process. For the latest elections, Japan's government sent election observers.

The autonomous government will be launched after members of parliament vote to select the region's chief minister as early as next month.