Abdullah Mama, a Mujahid for many decades and still an active Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) member, burst into a smile, delighted with the recently approved Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 57 or the Bangsamoro Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance Act of 2024, aiming to provide financial assistance support for senior citizens and permanently disabled Mujahideen of the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). (Comenei Ali/BIO)
COTABATO CITY— Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 57 or the Bangsamoro Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance Act of 2024, which was approved in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament on Feb. 26, 2024, is bringing hope to the Mujahideen.
The said legislation brought joy to Abdullah Mama, 63, a Mujahid, and a resident of Brgy. Katuli, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Although he felt pain from the physical trauma, he acquired from decades of being on the battlefield, this did not hinder him from remaining an active member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In his twilight years, he continues his jihad (sacrifice) by guiding young Bangsamoro through discipline and mentoring about the sacrifices and contributions of other Mujahideen during the armed struggle in the region and their role in sustaining the gains of the peace process for a better future.
Mujahideen is an Arabic term that refers to people who engage in jihad, interpreted in a jurisprudence of Islam as the fight on behalf of Allah, the religion of Islam, or the community.
Reflecting back, it was in 1972 when Abdullah’s eyes were opened to the turmoil in his homeland following the tragic Jabidah Massacre, which shook and tore through the Moro community, unleashing decades of unrest in Mindanao.
“Amengka manya den ba i katamanan tanu na maninindeg tanu para sa kambayabaya,” this was the remark that resonated with the young, impressionable mind of Abdullah as he witnessed weeping children and women in a burial ceremony, his friend’s father.
[If this is the kind of situation that we are in, we have to stand our ground to achieve genuine peace.]
With resolute conviction and determination, he started training as a Mujahideen at the tender age of 13.
In 1976, Abdullah was 17 when he was deployed for his first upfront encounter with the government’s military. Labeled as a rebel, but he was steadfast in the noble cause of the struggle, aiming for autonomy and self-determination.
“Katig na mga pagari ku na minatay aku den. Kinambalingan ku sa walay na pigkanduriyan aku niran den ka pidtaru nu bati ku na midtatangguna aku den,” Abdullah shared, recounting his near-death experience.
[My relatives thought I died back then. When I went back home, they were already holding a kanduli (offering) for me because my friend told them I died during the encounter.]
It was one fateful day when the tension of their encounter with the military escalated. Lost in the heat of the fire exchange, it was only seconds before the explosion that he noticed a bomb being thrown just beside him.
Fortunately, after managing to jump toward the low incline of the land, rough rolling, and bruising, he survived.
“Banawagen aku na bati ku antu uged na di aku pakasembag ka kasakitan aku ged. Ya nin bu nelay sa mawatan na su nakisi ku a khaki a pantalun na katig nin na tu den ba su tinay ku nakasamburak. Ya nin katig na tu den ba i nadsabapan na kinapatay ku,” he said.
[He was screaming for me, but I found it hard to respond due to severe pain. He saw a torn part of my pants at a distance and thought it was my innards scattered. And that made him conclude that I met my death there.]
For over 20 years, Abdullah fought on battlefields, uncertain if he would make it home; nonetheless, the thought of a free and peaceful Mindanao brought longing to him and stirred a wave of a strong will to stand, fight, and come back alive.
He shared that his faith in God and the assistance of his family were instrumental in keeping him going.
Voice shaking, Abdullah related, “Mapasang man i kataman nami noget. Kaguteman kami uged ya bun masela sa rekami na su kapaninindeg sa darpa tanu. U kena tabu kapagitung i aden a kadenan a ya mangenggi sa bager enggu su pamilya ku a ramig aku niran den ipamagena basta di aku bu makwa, na di ku den katawan.”
[It was a hard experience for us at that time. We were starving, but standing and fighting for our homeland is greater than our growling stomach. If not for the thought that there is an Almighty God, the source of strength, and my family, I don’t know how I can still last.]
A sudden far-off look took over his expression, reminiscing the day he lost his best friend and brother figure. Pointing to his bruised leg just above his ankle, he uttered, “Natimbak aku siya ba. Mindarambasa man. Tu bun ba su encounter a na shahid su best friend ku. Sekanin den man i nadsule-suled ku.”
[I was shot here and the bullet went through the other side of my leg. That was also the encounter where I lost my best friend. He was a brother to me.]
Abdullah is just one of the many Mujahideen who dedicated decades of their lives to achieving lasting peace in Mindanao.
During the vote for the Bill’s approval, emotions were high as everyone in the hall recalled the painful years endured by every Bangsamoro.
Member of Parliament Michael Midtimbang, who delivered his speech during the enactment of the legislation, described the enactment as a moral and ethical obligation of the Government in recognizing the Mujahideen’s sacrifices, and urged everyone to support the passage of the Bill.
“The Bangsamoro Mujahideen had been at the forefront of the struggle for self-determination and peace, so I believe that is our moral and ethical obligation as a government to recognize their sacrifices and contributions by providing them support,” he said.
With 41 affirmative votes, zero ‘no’ vote, and no abstentions, the Act shall institutionalize support for senior citizens and permanently disabled Mujahideen of the MILF and MNLF through the establishment of the Office of the Bangsamoro Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance (OBMUSC) under the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) to ensure streamlined processes for the provision of financial assistance.
As provided in the legislation, Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance shall receive a monthly cash allowance with a minimum amount of P7,000, with a lump sum payment of P84,000 for the first year of implementation.
Qualified beneficiaries include combatants who are considered senior citizens and permanently disabled who have meaningfully participated in the struggle for the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro People between 1969 and 2014 for at least twenty (20) years and are underprivileged.
“Nawget nami den kapangingarap inyaba. Mga matuwa kami den, di kami den makagaga mamantiyari. Sobra kapya inya programa ka madakel bun sa rekami na miskinan. Makapanginsukur kami ged sa BARMM enggu ki Chief Minister,” Abdullah emotionally expressed.
[We were waiting and hoping for this. We are already old, so we can no longer work like we used to. This is absolutely a great program because most of us are in a needy state. We are sincerely thankful to BARMM and the Chief Minister.]
“Apya den nawgetan na uged niya den, makasampay den sa rekami,” he added.
[It might have taken long, but we are happy it is here now and it reached us.]
This historic legislation holds utmost significance as it underscores the commitment of the current government to the well-being of the former combatants who served as the backbone of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination.
Ultimately, revisiting and embracing our past enables us to chart a more purposeful and brighter future, for both the pioneers of yesteryears and the new generation of Bangsamoro.
This provision of tangible support serves as a recognition of the decades-long bravery of every Mujahideen and exemplifies the unwavering dedication of the Government of the Day to uphold the gains of the peace process. (Bai Omairah Yusop/BIO)
