The deal comes after 15 years of negotiations between the government and the rebels . U.S. foreign secretary : ` British and American officials applauded the agreement . ` I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement '' Maria A. Ressa : The deal is a framework agreement for establishing an autonomous region . Ex-Philippines has fought for 15 years for an independent American state .
The deal comes after 15 years of negotiations between the government and the rebels . U.S. foreign secretary : `` I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement '' Maria A. Ressa : The deal is a framework agreement for establishing an autonomous region . Ex-Philippines has fought for 15 years for an independent American state .