I received confirmation from sources inside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that an uneasy atmosphere prevails following the changes in the Autonomous Region’s political set up initiated by Malacañang.
As the former Governor of North Cotabato who figured prominently in the previous events which led to the birth of the country’s first Regional Autonomous Government, I view these developments with great concern.
For the first time in almost a century, we are enjoying the blessings of peace with the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the creation of the BARMM.
Progress is slowly but surely creeping in and we now could travel through the highways of the Bangsamoro Region safe even in the middle of the night.
Indeed, the BARMM government is far from perfect, a reality we have to accept as former rebel combatants are running the affairs of an established government for the first time.
There had been pervasive reports of questionable transactions but we should allow the BARMM Leadership to make corrective measures, after all that is the true meaning of Autonomy.
I call on our National Leaders to be more circumspect in dealing with the BARMM and bear in mind that it is no longer Imperial Manila’s Vassal State.
Let us respect the Bangsamoro leadership and let them run their own show with unqualified support so that they will realize their aspirations for their own people.
In time, they will gain political maturity and learn more on efficient governance.
Personally, I look at the BARMM as a working model of an experiment in Regional Autonomy whose success could serve as a blueprint for the system of governance that the country could embrace in the future.
The BARMM was built on the blood and lives not only of the Bangsamoro People but the tens of thousands of innocent civilians who had to endure the decades of conflict.
As BARMM’s neighbor province within whose territory there exist Special Geographical Areas or towns belonging to the BARMM, any upheaval willl certainly affect us.
Tahimik na ang mga buhay namin. Ayaw na namin ng giyera at gulo.
Let Peace reign in our land by respecting the Autonomy of the Bangsamoro Region.
