TAGUM CITY—In support of the Bangsamoro peace process, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held a consultation with its members in Davao region on Aug. 18, 2022.
The consultation, attended by almost 6,000 MILF supporters, was held to recognize and discuss the needs and grievances of its members even outside the core territories of Bangsamoro region.
During the event, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, together with other Bangsamoro Government officials, presented the significant milestones of BARMM as a government during its transition period.
In a video presentation, Ebrahim, who is also the chairman of MILF, emphasized the achievements of the organization as essential tool for the realization of the sought-after peace in the Bangsamoro land.
“MILF has made the foundation of setting up a genuine direction and strength during the Bangsamoro arm struggle—it provides us guidance during the period of tough peace negotiation; it introduces us in the international community as Bangsamoro identity; it gives us the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) as recognized by the government with just and legitimate right to self-determination; it gives us self-government which is the BARMM,” Ebrahim said.
“We conducted this kind of consultation to hear your voices so that we could formulate new programs and new policies that will best respond to your needs and grievances,” he added.
On the other hand, Member of Parliament (MP) Engr. Aida Silongan underscored the socio-political and economic milestones of the Bangsamoro region for the past three years of transition government.
“When President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Republic Act No. 11054 on July 28, 2018, leading to the creation of BARMM, several changes have been made in the region,” Silongan stressed.
“These include the steady decline in poverty index; Lanao Del Sur is no longer the poorest province in the country; investments in BARMM generate Php2.8-billion from Php14-million target in 2021; BARMM’s economy rises by 7.5% in 2022 which sets record as 2nd fastest-growing region in the Philippines, and among others,” Silongan said.
Meanwhile, Davao Oriental Governor Atty. Corazon Malanyaon affirmed her support to BARMM, saying, “consultations will strengthen more peace and unity in our land.”
“Rest assured that I will fully support the Bangsamoro in the region (Davao) on this endeavor,” she added.
Also present at the event were MPs Hussein Munoz, Akmad Ebrahim, Melanio Ulama, Bangsamoro Cultural Preservation and Heritage (BCPCH) Chairperson Dr. Salem Lingasa, Davao Region-Officer-in-Charge AdHoc Chairman Roy Lopez, Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, Davao Del Norte Political Committee Chairman Alim Mokhaledyn Aranaid, and 111th Base Commander Mr. Abas Jerry Abubacar, among others.
MILF-Davao region is consist of four (4) provinces such as Davao Oriental, Davao Del Sur, Davao De Oro, Davao Occidental, and the City of Davao.
After the consultation, consolidated issues and concerns with recommendations from the above-mentioned areas will be presented to the MILF General Summit scheduled on August 27 at Camp Darapanan, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
