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. Commission on Elections Chairman Erwin Garcia reported that Cotabato City has been put under the commission’s control, with an administrator to be designated after a shooting incident killed three people and injured 15 others late Sunday. In other incidents in the city, a blast from an improvised bomb injured the person carrying the explosive, and a gun was fired but no one was hurt.
The town of Maluso in Basilan has also been put under the commission’s control after pre-shaded ballots were found in 36 out of 68 precincts. Garcia said he immediately ordered the reprinting of ballots for the affected precincts, where voting would be delayed.
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.
In a news conference Sunday, Garcia said 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.
In this photo taken with a smartphone, Army soldiers check the flow of vehical traffic along the highway in Marantao town, Lanao del Sur province, southern Philippines on Sunday Sept 13, 2026. (AP Photo/ Froilan Gallardo)
In this photo taken with a smartphone, Army soldiers check the flow of vehicular traffic along the highway in Marantao town, Lanao del Sur province, southern Philippines on Sunday Sept 13, 2026. (AP Photo/ Froilan Gallardo)
NEW YORK (AP) — Trinity Rodman made it from the soccer pitch to the tennis court in time to watch boyfriend Ben Shelton in the U.S. Open final.
Shelton had to begin his first attempt to win a Grand Slam title without Rodman in the stands. She was busy with her own career, playing for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL on Sunday.
Rodman, a star for the U.S. women's national team, was with the Spirit for their 3-0 loss at home to Boston Legacy FC, then headed north to New York.
She arrived at some point near the end of Shelton's 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 loss to Alexander Zverev, wearing a shirt with Shelton's face on it, cheering and at one point appearing to wipe away tears during the trophy ceremony.
“I knew she was coming. I knew it was going to be pretty close to impossible to get here, but even just making the effort and trying is insane,” Shelton said.
“She kind of showed up as I was losing, which for her probably sucked, you know?”
Zverev also took note of Rodman’s presence in his post-match remarks.
“Trinity, I thought you have a game today,” Zverev said jokingly. “Well done to you as well. You’re the lucky charm ... not today, but usually.”
Rodman had been at multiple matches at the U.S. Open during Shelton's run to his first major final, including his victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals that ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in U.S. Open history.
She wore a black shirt reading “I (heart) my boyfriend” while watching Shelton's victory in the second round.
See AP’s full tennis coverage here
American soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, watches her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, play Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in New York.(AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, watches her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, compete against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman celebrates after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, won his match against Hubert Hurkacz, of Poland, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
