THE historic parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) constitute an important step toward achieving the elusive peace and development in the region and across the Philippines, according to a Muslim scholar and advocate of peace and development.
Dr. Acram A. Latiph, executive director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao at the Mindanao State University (MSU), said the elusive self-governance and autonomy in Muslim Mindanao is finally within reach – 50 years since the historic Tripoli Agreement, the first peace document signed between the government and leaders of the Moro secessionist movement.
In an interview over the weekend, Latiph said the 50 years leading to the BARMM elections witnessed many political upheavals, historical milestones, and constitutional challenges, but the end is now in sight.
The Tripoli Agreement was signed in 1976 under the administration of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
‘Ang nagtanim ng puno ay iyong yumaong [President] Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. At ngayon, after 50 years, iyong puno lumalaki na. Sa September 14…nag-bloom na siya for harvesting. Parang destiny. Ang nagsimula ay ang yumaong father ni PBBM, [iyong anak] ang mag-e-end ngayon. At makakamit na natin ang kapayapaan hindi lang dito sa Mindanao, sa buong Pilipinas na,’ said Latiph.
The MSU economics professor, who has a doctorate degree, recalled that the path to the monumental BARMM democratic exercise was arduous and difficult.
Said Latiph: ‘It took a long while really kasi ang iniiwasan doon ay paano hindi magkakaroon ng malawakang hidwaan…para ma-preserve iyong society at iyong agreement na nagsimula sa Tripoli Agreement para matugunan iyong mga hinaing at adhikain ng mga Moro for self-autonomy and self-governance, na ngayon ay maisasakatuparan na.’
Latiph said the implementation of the original peace accord had been difficult because of differences in its interpretation.
‘Tapos naging balakid rin iyong [pananaw] na kailangan…ng constitutional amendment para maisakatuparan ang nandoon sa agreement. Naging balakid ang pagkakaiba ng pagkaunawa sa Tripoli agreement,’ he added.
It took another 20 years for the Final Peace Agreement to be concluded in 1996-within the context of the 1987 Constitution-under the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos.
The Muslim peace and development advocate also acknowledged that the sensitive issue between the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was a critical factor which slowed down the peace process.
Latiph traced back the foundation for the BARMM elections, emphasizing that then President Marcos Sr. planted the seeds for achieving peace in Muslim Mindanao through the consequential forging of the Tripoli Agreement on December 23, 1976, which was mediated by Libya and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to address the aspirations of the Moro people for self-autonomy and self-governance.
Highlighting the administration’s strong commitment to lasting peace, stability in Muslim Mindanao, democracy, and development, President Marcos Jr. recently urged the Bangsamoro people and voters to take control of and full responsibility for their future and political path.
In a speech during the opening of the National Peace Consciousness Month, Marcos said, ‘Let this election show that the future of the Bangsamoro is shaped by the people themselves: through your voices, your choices, and your hopes for your respective communities.’
President Marcos said the administration is fully ready for the September 14 BARMM parliamentary elections.
‘We are prepared for the first Parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on September 14. Despite several postponements, the government never lost hope and remains fully committed to supporting this democratic exercise,’ the President said. PNA