A predominantly Muslim region in the southern Philippines has held its first elections for a regional parliament following years of delays, moving it closer to self-rule after decades of insurgency and violence.

Hundreds of thousands of people cast ballots Monday in the first election of an autonomous region that was long a hub of Muslim separatist activity.

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.…