A Muslim region in the southern Philippines votes in first parliamentary elections

MANILA, Philippines -- A predominantly Muslim region in the southern Philippines held its first parliamentary elections on Monday, seen as a crucial step in the long quest for self-rule after decades of insurgency and violence. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was established under a 2014 peace deal in which the largest Muslim rebel group gave up its goal of a separate Muslim state in the south of the largely Roman Catholic country in exchange for broader autonomy. The group’s 40,000 fighters promised to demobilize and join civilian life. Officials said the elections were largely peaceful despite a person being killed following commotion in a polling station in the main city of Cotabato on Monday. Some supporters of a political party also trashed two vehicles belonging to a rival politician using steel bars. Three people were killed late Sunday and 15 wounded in a shooting in Cotabato, which houses the Bangsamoro government offices, including parliament.Meanwhile, the town of Maluso on Basilan Island was put under the control of the Commission on Elections after pre-shaded ballots were found in 36 out of 68 precincts. Commission's Chairman Erwin Garcia said he im...