- The Bangsamoro region is a predominantly Muslim area in the Philippines.
- In a 2019 referendum, Bangsamoro residents voted for greater autonomy.
- Marcos Jr. affirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing all signed peace agreements.
On Monday, authorities in the Philippines’ southern Muslim region welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to implementing signed peace agreements, as one of Southeast Asia’s most conflict-torn regions moves closer to concluding its decade-long peace process.
The Bangsamoro region, which encompasses predominantly Muslim areas of Mindanao, has been engaged in a peace process that began in 2014. This process started when the government secured a permanent ceasefire deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front after nearly four decades of conflict.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an armed breakaway group from the Moro National Liberation Front, continued to fight after its parent organization reached a peace agreement with Manila in the 1990s. The Moro National Liberation Front is the oldest Muslim separatist movement in Mindanao.
In a 2019 referendum held as part of the peace process, Bangsamoro residents voted for greater autonomy. The transition period will culminate when the region elects its legislature and executive in 2025.
During a ceremony at the presidential palace on Monday, Marcos affirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing all signed peace agreements to ensure the security, inclusive progress, and stability of Mindanao and the rest of the country. He added that ongoing peace processes were in the advanced stages of implementation.
Authorities in Bangsamoro welcomed Marcos’s pledge on Monday.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to implementing all signed peace agreements is a testament to his sincerity in bringing sustainable peace and development in Mindanao,” Mohd. Asnin Pendatun, the spokesperson for the autonomous Muslim region BARMM, told Arab News.
“We are hopeful that we will witness the fitting conclusion to the peace accords … during his administration.”
Drieza Liningding, leader of the Moro Consensus Group from BARMM’s Marawi City, stated that the results of the peace process “remain to be seen.”
“Most of what was promised has not yet been implemented,” he told Arab News.
While welcoming Marcos’ pledge to implement all signed peace agreements, Drieza Liningding expressed that Marawi residents felt “sidelined” by the current administration. He noted that years after pro-Daesh militants took over Marawi in a five-month battle in 2017, which led to widespread destruction, many residents still cannot access the promised government support from the Marawi Siege Victim’s Compensation Act.
“We in Marawi are frustrated with how his administration is handling the Marawi compensation law; we feel that our protest and letters addressed to him only fall on deaf ears,” he said.
“Injustice is the root of all revolutions … But we are still hoping that (Marcos) will listen to our pleas. We don’t want Marawi to be used by lawless elements or used as justification to rebel against the government. We want peace.”
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