Foreign embassies in Manila broadly welcomed a peace framework agreement drafted by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
At the same time, the United States and Japanese embassies said the landmark deal ushers in the prospect of development in conflict-battered Mindanao, and vowed support to its implementation.
"While much work remains, successful implementation of this agreement would improve security, stability, and development for the people of Mindanao," U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas said in a statement Sunday.
The Japanese embassy statement emailed to media, meanwhile, noted that the deal is an "important first step toward the realization of the final agreement concerning the Mindanao Peace Process."
Both parties, however, noted the importance of respecting the ceasefire agreed between the two parties.
"We also acknowledge the deliberate steps by all parties to maintain the ceasefire that has been in place since 2009," Thomas said.
The Japanese embassy stressed that "because the framework agreement leaves the resolution of several important issues to future negotiations, it is expected that more difficulties must be overcome to reach the final agreement."
"Japan strongly hopes that both parties will steadily implement the contents of the Framework Agreement and continue their persistent negotiation efforts towards the early realization of the final agreement," Japan added.
"We will continue to look for ways to support the people of Mindanao as they accelerate broad-based and inclusive growth," the U.S. embassy meanwhile said.
It also said it hopes violence would cease to exist, as the parties work toward a final resolution.
Japan also vowed support through the dispatch of development experts, intensive implementation of economic cooperation projects in former conflict-affected areas and participation in the peace talks through the International Contact Group.
