Photo by: Hamdan Badrudin
COTABATO CITY – For Minister Hussein Muñoz of the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS), mainstreaming the historical events of the Bangsamoro is the way to continue the efforts towards achieving reconciliation, peace, and unification in the region.
“The Bangsamoro is built on our past, our brothers and sisters who fought to where we stand today,” Muñoz said Monday, March 6, during the kick-off ceremony of the Bangsamoro History Month in this city, which was attended by officials and employees from the different ministries of the regional government.
Through Proclamation No. 001 of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim signed on March 8, 2021, every March of every year is declared as Bangsamoro History Month as it holds several significant events that contributed in achieving peace and the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro.
Among the significant events are the following:
- Bud Dajo Massacre – About 600 Moro, including women and children, were slaughtered by the U.S. Army on March 5-7, 1906. This was after General Leonard Wood, the governor of the then Moro province, ordered J.W. Duncan of the 6th Infantry Regiment to lead an expedition against Bud Dajo.
- Dansalan Declaration – During the Commonwealth era on March 18, 1935, some Bangsamoro leaders of Lanao signed worded document, known as the “Dansalan Declaration,” urging the then U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and U.S. Congress not to include the Bangsamoro Homeland in the Philippines’ bid for independence, and for the Bangsamoro to instead be granted separate independence by U.S.A.
- Jabidah Massacre – On March 18, 1968, during the height of Marcos regime, around 200 young Tausug and Sama soldier-recruits were killed at Corregidor Island in Cavite City. It was said that the death of the young Moros sparked the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) call for autonomy and self-governance.
- All-out War against MILF – On March 21, 2000, President Joseph Estrada declared an “all-out war” against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which caused massive displacement, loss of thousand lives, and destruction of millions worth of properties.
- CAB – On March 27, 2014, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed at the Malacanang Palace which, in effect, concluded the 17 years of negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF. The document recognizes the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and their aspiration to chart their political future through a democratic process that will secure their identity and prosperity, and allow a meaningful self-governance.
- Inauguration of the BARMM and Inaugural session of the BTA – On March 29, 2019, BARMM was finally inaugurated, and event witnessed by then President Rodrigo Duterte. On the same occasion, the BTA Parliament also held its first inaugural session.
“These events remind us that by recognizing the true accounts of the past, we move forward to a better tomorrow – in peacebuilding and sustaining the gains of the peace process, ” Muñoz said.
“This is the rationale why we need to mainstream our history. It is our means and ways to continue our efforts towards reconciliations, peace, and unification,” he added.
Under the aforementioned proclamation, MPOS is tasked to lead the commemoration, celebration, and remembering the significant events that happened in March.
For this year’s observance of the Bangsamoro History Month, Muñoz said MPOS has prepared several activities such as the Bangsamoro Peace Forum, which intends to raise consciousness about the struggle for the right to self-determination, appreciate the gains of the peace process, and strategize ways forward for the Bangsamoro; Tagisan ng Talino, an inter-agency Bangsamoro history quiz bee; CAB anniversary and BARMM inauguration commemoration; and commemoration of the Jabidah Massacre, All-Out-War, and Bud Dajo, among others.
The month-long celebration bears the theme: “Enhancing National Unity by Mainstreaming Bangsamoro History.”
Muñoz said the Bangsamoro History Month is considered as the most progressive step in achieving the Bangsamoro aspiration, as it encourages people to take pride their history and identity. (Johanie Mae Kusain/BIO)
