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

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — 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 set up under a 2014 peace deal that saw the largest Muslim rebel group give up the goal of a separate Muslim state in the south of the largely Catholic country in exchange for broader autonomy. The group’s 40,000 fighters promised to demobilize and join civilian life.

Since the 1970s, about 150,000 combatants and civilians have died in the southern Philippines, while development was stunted in the country’s poorest region. Western and Asian governments feared the tenacious insurgencies could help foster Islamic extremism in Southeast Asia. With bombing attacks and kidnappings, Mindanao used to be a haven for al-Qaida and the Islamic State group before a U.S.-backed Philippine offensive weakened the militants.

More than 20,000 soldiers and police forces were deployed for elections, while troops carrying long arms patrolled roadsides.

There are 80 seats at stake in the elections that will determine members of parliament. The region comprises five provinces, three cities and 63 villages with nearly 2.4 million voters. Election officials said they expected an 80% turnout after polling was postponed for several years.

The region's chief minister, who heads the executive branch, will be elected by parliament in its first session.

Commission on Elections Chairman Erwin Garcia told a news conference Sunday that the security situation has been peaceful, but warned those who will attempt to sow violence or buy votes that they will be charged.

“The elections stand on generations of Bangsamoro struggle for homeland, identity, and self-determination, in the face of dispossession, marginalization, conflict and sacrifice,” he said in an earlier statement.