Editorial

Comes the birth of MILF-led BARMM

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cotabato City, and 33 barangays in North Cotabato constitute the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a parliamentary-democratic political structure, one that is endowed with more powers in governance and more shares in revenues that could appropriately address the geographical setting’s dire needs for development, one that could put an end to senseless war and conflict, and put meaning to its aspirations.

        What comes next is the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that would serve as the interim government until the BARMM officials are deemed duly elected in year 2022. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is allotted 41 slots of the 80-member BTA. It is expected that MILF chair Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim would head the BTA as interim chief minister.

        There are still skepticism and misconceptions over the Bangsamoro Organic Law that created the BARMM. It is false to say that the political turn-around is endowing the MILF the domination over the non-Muslim diverse population. The BOL is a concession in the peace deal between the government and the Moro Front as contained in the Comprehensive Bangsamoro Agreement. It is giving the MILF the opportunity to lead in regional governance and set the pace for a lasting peace situation in the region… in the same way the Moro National Liberation Front was given the leverage to lead the ARMM after it signed a peace pact with the government.

        It is now the challenge for the MILF-led BARMM to pursue development and peace-oriented governance, setting a paradigm that will unify a people when the Front assured that the Bangsamoro is not only for the Muslim population but for all inhabitants in the homeland. Diverse cultures have co-existed in the homeland and a unifying force would further enhance multi-population engagement of trust and in participatory governance embodied in democratic ideals. While the MILF is entrusted the regional government leadership, it has to put in place a bureaucracy of capability and competence, one that augers well to the very aspirations and objectives that the new regional government comes to be created.

        Further, the BOL and BARMM should become a fulfilling testament to the continuing peace process and pursuit of wide-range development for the regional inhabitants --- better social-economic opportunities, reduction of poverty, and importantly the implanting of lasting peace.

        The MILF-led BARMM is now put to a political and economic test. On the part of the population is putting trust to regional leadership and support its development and peace pursuits… that we pray.

        Now the MILF is no longer a belligerent organization following the ratification of the BOL. The complete decommissioning of its firearms or weapon arsenal would soon follow… So be it.