[Mark Navales/BenarNews] A fragile peace in an autonomous Muslim region in the southern Philippines is at risk from armed groups which could sabotage the slow process toward normalization as economic momentum lags, an international conflict-monitoring group is warning. The normalization process, which aims to bring a lasting peace to the Bangsamoro region after decades of war is behind schedule, with the coronavirus pandemic partly contributing to this, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group said in a report released Thursday. “The peace process in the Bangsamoro, the majority-Muslim region of the southern Philippines, requires disarming some 40,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and ensuring both their smooth integration into civilian life and peace dividends for communities where they live,” the report said.