Party of Philippine Muslim region's interim chief wins most seats in polls

MANILA - A party led by some officials of the Philippines' largest former Islamic rebel group secured the most seats in the first parliamentary election of the country's Muslim-dominated Bangsamoro autonomous region, results showed Wednesday, narrowly defeating the former rebel group's official party.

The Bangsamoro Federalist Party led by the region's interim government chief Abdulraof Macacua, which is perceived to be aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s party, secured 31 of the 80 seats in Monday's voting, the elections commission said.