Vision for the Bangsamoro
Bangsamoro identity, rido, conflict, security, violence, war and peace are issues that both the young and the old struggle with. They are complicated topics to discuss, but are also crucial to the legacy that we pass on to future generations. We know that we can start building peace in the world and in our communities by building peace within ourselves and our families.
As citizens of this republic, we all have a responsibility to actively participate in choosing how we resolve conflicts. This is especially true in choosing whether to support or not the Bangsamoro peace process.
Our view of the world, as shaped by our childhood and adolescence, to a large part determines our response to these issues. If we all want peace in Mindanao, how can we work together and bridge the gap and our misunderstandings? Do we have the courage to pass on to our children a legacy that encourages the building of peace in the Bangsamoro and Mindanao?
In the past two years, I have been fortunate to be part of the Bangsamoro insider mediators (IM). The IM is a platform for the Bangsamoro from various sectors and groups who try to work, within their respective organizations and communities, to achieve a wider consensus on major Moro issues. We convened in the different cities in Mindanao to help address the crucial issues confronted by the Bangsamoro and Filipino people.
Recently, the IM conducted simultaneous workshops to formulate the Bangsamoro Vision/s. Different groups from various sectors (within the Bangsamoro and outside the core territory) were invited to articulate their vision/s for the Bangsamoro in both the short and the long-term.
We in Al Qalam Institute handled the visioning workshop in Davao City. The Bangsamoro Visioning Exercise was a multi-sectoral event that brought together members of the Moro diaspora and the Kagan communities in the Davao Region. The end goal was to envision the ideal autonomous state under the Philippine government.
What we found out is that, overall, the Bangsamoro simply wants to be able to have access to basic services and goods. They only want to be able to live in peace, to freely practice their religion, and to see their culture reflected in governance.
However, this is easier said than done. The Bangsamoro as it is now has its challenges already, and the Organic Law is something that will grant the Moro people a fresh start. It is critical to start off on the right foot, in order for the visions of these sectors to come true.
They envision a Bangsamoro where traditional and religious leaders are engaged with the government as cultural experts and consultants in order to ensure inclusion for everyone. They envision more roles for women, youth and business sectors to prosper under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
These are beautiful images to look at, but if we do not act this will only remain an image. We call on our stakeholders to come and work together for peace building and for an empowered Bangsamoro.--from
While we note that there are still legal remedies available to Congresswoman Marcos, this latest development underscores that our country currently has a working and impartial justice system that favors no one. PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON SALVADOR PANELO, ON THE SANDIGANBAYAN CONVICTION OF FORMER FIRST LADY IMELDA MARCOS FOR GRAFT