BEIJING, Oct. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, have forged a framework peace agreement. President Benigno Aquino made the announcement on national television. The agreement aims to create a new autonomous region in the country’s south, but as CCTV correspondent Barnaby Lo reports, not everyone is optimistic.

It isn’t difficult to see what people in Southern aspire for… all along the main highway are messages of hope, hope that peace will finally come. But it also isn’t difficult to see that tensions between Muslim insurgents and the government remain high. Along the same highway, there are military checkpoints, and in towns and villages young men who’ve taken up arms.

President Aquino has stepped up efforts to end these insurgencies bringing together government officials, foreign dignitaries, and celebrities in a high profile campaign to promote peace and development.

Benigno Aquino III, Philippine President, said, “It’s time to set aside differences in ideologies, beliefs, and religion. And sure enough, we’ve already begun to do this.”

Several rounds of peace talks have been held in the past two years between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim separatist group. And now, a framework peace agreement has been reached by both sides.

But while the MILF may be the main Muslim rebel group in the country, it isn’t the only one. Umra Kato, a former MILF commander, has formed his own forces and vows to continue fighting.

Ameril Umra Kato, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, said, “Ultimate purpose, is to liberate Mindanao from the sovereignty of the Philippine government.”

It also isn’t the first time the Philippine government is entering into a peace agreement with a Muslim separatist group. In 1996, it signed a deal to end hostilities with what was then the largest Muslim insurgent group, the Moro National Liberation Front or the MNLF.

Julkipli Wadi, Dean, Inst. of Islamic Studies, Univ. of The Philippines, said, "In Mindanao, signing an agreement is one thing, but implementing it is very much another."

What’s the guarantee that after the term of President Aquino, the succeeding administration would honor and fulfill the obligations entered into.

For nearly 40 years, people in Southern Philippines have struggled for peace. There have been numerous efforts but most of them have failed. So it’s no surprise that there are still doubts this time around, but there’s also plenty of hope that whatever comes out of this agreement will bring long and lasting peace.

By CCTV correspondent Barnaby Lo

(Source: CNTV.cn)