Rebels moving toward peace

The largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines handed over dozens of weapons in a symbolic gesture to reinforce a peace pact stalled by a public outcry over the killings this year of dozens of police commandos in a fierce battle with insurgents.

President Benigno Aquino III and Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, watched the surrender of 75 assault weapons, including mortar and rocket launchers, by the guerrillas near a rebel stronghold, along with the identification of a first batch of 145 guerrillas, who agreed to return to civil life with promises of government support.

The autonomy deal was signed by the government and the rebels last year after years-long talks brokered by Malaysia.