10/05/2024
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MANIFESTO ON EXTENDING BTA TO 2028*
We, in the Bangsamoro Communication Network (BCN), Incorporated firmly believe that extending the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to 2028 is a wise, practical and sound decision that H.E. President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. can make while there is still time to SALVAGE and SUSTAIN the gains of the Peace Process between the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F).
No less than H.E. President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. has been a living witness that relative PEACE started to reign in the war-torn Bangsamoro after the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OL-BARMM) or BOL was passed into Law (RA 11054) in 2018 and won a popular support during the plebiscite of 2019.
The establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) after the BOL was ratified, has rekindled the hopes of the people who had long suffered the bitter pill of decades vertical armed conflicts, especially the Bangsamoro whose dreams had been shuttered as they experienced almost unbearable pains of their perceived oppressions and injustices committed against them.
The BARMM is just but a more than four (4) years old Autonomous Region under the care and stewardship of the M**F leadership whose processes, approaches and systems are based on the principles of sincerity, accountability, transparency and inclusiveness. The M**F leaders have been demonstrating honest and genuine services to its constituents devoid of corruption and malpractices as it promotes Moral Governance.
Much have been done in the past few years by and in the BARMM despite the very challenging start with the pandemic-COVID19 (2020-2022) and horizontal armed-conflicts caused by Ridu and minimal encounters between Government Forces and extremist-groups or spoilers of peace.
Many of these promising above-mentioned developments are of no doubt result of the Political Track of the signed Peace Agreement of the GPH-M**F. However, it is also an undeniable fact that the Political component of the Peace Agreement alone cannot guaranty enduring peace as envisioned from the very start of the Peace Negotiations. The NORMALIZATION component of the Peace deal must, at all time, move parallel, with the former which in reality is logged way-way behind with the former. It is generally considered a barrier to signing the Exit Agreement, for any unnecessary delay on the agreed implementation Roadmap will have a domino effect to the rest of peace deals.
Holding elections for the Parliament in 2025 will even aggravate the situation and put the gains of the Peace Negotiations at stake for obvious reasons. It is likened to aiding efforts to sabotage the signed Peace Agreements by handing graciously the fruits of the more than forty (40) years of the Bangsamoro Struggle, for a genuine Autonomy and self-governance, into the hands of some individuals and groups who were visibly on the other side of the fence during the plebiscite of 2019 whose interest is to preserve and protect their families’ political dynasty. It could thus be a goodbye kiss to peace if not kiss of death for peace in Mindanao, which will surely bring negative impact to the image of the “Bagong Pilipinas-Bagong Autonomous Government”.
We need NOT therefore wonder why these individuals and groups would like to sn**ch the BARMM from the hands of the M**F who selflessly labored for it with their life, blood, sweat and tears. The leadership of the M**F, a revolutionary organization that has been fighting at the forefront for the legitimate right of its people, the Bangsamoro for self-determination, has repeatedly announced their readiness for the upcoming midterm elections 2025 through its principled political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP). This dignified pronouncement of the M**F indicates their willingness to comply with their signed peace agreement with the government in letter and spirit. We salute them for their sincere intention, noble endeavor, and valor to face challenges even during post war without reservations.
Yet, we, the almost One Hundred Thousand members of BCN firmly believe that extending the BTA until 2028 will contribute in healing the pains and wounds of the past brought about by the perceived oppression and historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro people; strengthen the growing trust, respect and understanding between and among settlers, Indigenous Peoples and the Bangsamoro; give M**F and the government ample time to pick the pieces of the shuttered dreams of the Bangsamoro by implementing the remaining parts or components of the Peace Agreements; and nurture the seeds of hope in the heart of the Bangsamoro children and youth and prepare them to become the next generation of well-guided leaders who will build an even stronger nation whereby everyone enjoys peace, tranquility, harmony and productive life.
Finally and in consideration of the above, we humbly APPEAL to His Excellency, President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. to EXTEND the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) up to 2028 so that the NORMALIZATION Component of the GPH-M**F Peace Agreement can cope with the POLITICAL Track thereby providing a healthy environment for a smooth signing of Parties’ EXIT Agreement.
FOR THE BANGSAMORO COMMUNICATION NETWORK, INC.
ABU TURAB/BCoN 29
National President
* One of the Manifesto submitted by the LBO to the Office of the Speaker of the Bangsamoro Parliament Atty. Pangalian M. Balindong through the Office of the Member of Parliament Michael E. Midtimbang dated last week of May 2024.
