The deal comes after 15 years of negotiations between the government and the rebels . U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the agreement `` a testament to the commitment of all sides for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the southern Philippines . '' UK foreign secretary : `` I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement '' Aquino : ` `We are very happy to have reached this agreement with the Philippines on a bilateral basis that will allow us to continue our work in support of peace and stability throughout the region.'' The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has fought for decades for an independent Islamic state .
The deal comes after 15 years of negotiations between the government and the rebels . UK foreign secretary : `` I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement '' Aquino : ``We are very happy to have reached this agreement with the Philippines on a bilateral basis that will allow us to continue our work in support of peace and stability throughout the region.'' The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has fought for decades for an independent Islamic state .