Photo by Comenei Ali/BIO
NORTH COTABATO—Five decades ago, more than 70 Moro civilians, including women and children, were mercilessly gunned down within the mosque of Manili village in Carmen, North Cotabato.
Accordingly, the Ilaga terror gang, allegedly backed by the members of the defunct Philippine Constabulary, opened fire on the victims on June 19, 1971.
Reflecting on the horrors endured during the massacre, survivor Rahma Nagli expressed the profound pain experienced by her and her family, stating, “the horrors we and our families endured were deeply painful.”
52 years after the tragedy, the Bangsamoro Government paid homage to the victims of the the Manili Massacre in a solemn commemoration held in Carmen last week, June 19.
The Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS), in partnership with the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organizations (CBCSO), held the commemoration aimed to remember the victims’ plight while fostering unity among the Bangsamoro constituents and preserving the achievements of the peace process.
MPOS Minister Hussein Muñoz expressed sympathy for the families’ agony, stating, “we pray to Allah to include our fallen comrades as martyrs.”
“Let us not succumb to sentimentality; we are a determined people. Together, we look forward to a strong government and strive to preserve the fruits of our struggle,” the Minister added.
Muñoz further emphasized that this tragic event served as a wake-up call for the Moro people in mainland Mindanao, the island provinces, and even Palawan, leading eventually to the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government.
Meanwhile, Nagli expressed gratitude to the BARMM Government for assuring them that they are not neglected.
“We thank BARMM for not abandoning us. You have provided assistance in constructing madrasahs, and we also seek additional support to build a mosque,” she said.
CBCSO representative Robert Apadan highlighted that commemorating the Manili Massacre further fuels the Moro people’s struggle for self-determination.
“Napakahalaga po sa kasaysayan ang paglingon sa nakaraan. This commemoration is not just a simple remembrance; it symbolizes our admiration and recognition of the contributions of our comrades in the pursuit of the right to self-determination,” Apadan said.
“CBCS is a small organization but plays a big role to help convey the grievances in our community. It would help the government by strengthening the capacity of every member of the community through capacity development training,” Apadan said.
Currently, MPOS is undertaking tangible projects worth Php10 million, which include the construction of a madrasah, installation of solar lights, and establishment of memorial markers.
These initiatives serve as a testament to the Bangsamoro Government’s support for the Bangsamoro people beyond the core territory. (Majid Nur/BIO)
