COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) extension supporters made their final appeal to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte thru a simultaneous unity caravan across the Bangsamoro region on Wednesday, June 23.
The unity caravan, that signifies as the final call of the Bangsamoro people to the President to certify Senate Bill (SB) 2214—the measure seeking to extend the term of the BTA as urgent, was organized by the Movement for Moral Governance (MMG) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Almost 20,000 vehicles (including 4WDs, trucks, and motorcycles) from Cotabato City, Maguindanao province, and 63 barangays of North Cotabato participated in the activity. The Ranaw region also staged a caravan that went from Marawi City to Iligan City, Tubod-Kapatagan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Picong, Malabang, Ganassi, Masiu, Tamparan, and back to Marawi City.
“Patuloy niyo kaming samahan sa journey na ito. It’s our journey towards the crafting of prosperous and a brighter future for the Bangsamoro”, said Ammier M. Dodo, MMG spokesperson.
“Optimistic at umaasa pa rin tayo na maipasa ang batas dahil nariyan ang suporta ng Bangsamoro, at kasama natin ang Pangulong Duterte at naiintindihan niya ang panawagan ng mamayang Bangsamoro,” Dodo added.
Various sectors, including Bangsamoro grassroots communities, local government units, civil society organizations, religious groups, academic communities, and peace-loving individuals, both inside and outside the BARMM, are rallying behind the call to extend the Bangsamoro transition period.
Datuan M. Magon, deputy secretary general for United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), said, “kami ay nanawagan sa mga kapatid nating nasa Bangsamoro region na patuloy na suportahan, makiisa at maging kabahagi ng anumang mapayapang pagkilos, at magsakripisyo sapagkat ito’y alang-alang sa kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak at mga susunod na henerasyo.”
Meanwhile, Dante Mulod, 37, a resident of Barangay Damakling in Paglat, Maguindanao, said he joined the caravan to show his entire support for the extension of the BTA in order to maintain peace in the Bangsamoro region.
“Ang ipinaglalaban natin dito ay iyong karapatan ng bawat Bangsamoro sa ating rehiyon na magkaroon tayo ng karapatan na maipakita ang ating kakayahan sa pamumuno sa ating sariling lupain”, Mulod said. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
