Lanao leaders support Bangsamoro creation

MADALUM, Lanao del Sur — Traditional leaders from two Lanao provinces have pledged their full support for the implementation of the Bangsamaoro Organic Law (BOL) as those living within the Bangsamoro territorial jurisdiction were expected to vote for its ratification in a plebiscite on Jan. 21.

During their assembly at Barangay Poblacion here on Nov. 29, 500 leaders from Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte said they wanted to have the BOL ratified so the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) could be established.

Support

The BARMM will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Sultan Usman Sarangani Sr., the Sultan of Uya-an and reigning paramount sultan of Mindanao, said the gathering was a venue for them “to amplify and ventilate salient provisions of the organic law to make them understand and appreciate it and encourage them to support the measure.”

Among those who attended the assembly were leaders of the 16 royal houses and the 28 legislative councils, or the “mubabaya ko taritib” of the two Lanao provinces.

Sarangani said the assembly, with the theme “Unity, Solidarity and Teamwork,” was the first of its kind in Lanao.

He said they hoped the BOL ratification and the establishment of the BARMM would lead to a “better and comfortable life for the Bangsamoro people.”

Promoting peace

The BOL, he said, had recognized the importance of traditional leaders in Bangsamoro society, making it mandatory for them to play a pivotal role in promoting peace and order, preventing conflict, and in campaigning for the law’s ratification.

“[We] will also work for the unification of the traditional leaders and encourage the search for solution to [their] differences,” he said.

Adan Abdullah, who represented Ghadzali Jafaar, first vice chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) central committee and chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), said he would convey to the MILF leadership what had been agreed upon by the traditional leaders, especially on their support for BOL ratification.

He said the traditional leaders “have the responsibility to support governance,” as he thanked the freedom fighters for “helping push the idea of self-governance and self-determination.”

“No tribe of the Bangsamoro will be left behind,” Abdullah added.

Speakers in the assembly included Aleem Rasad Bacaraman, president of the Haitul Ulama Bangsamoro; Commissioner Said Sheik of BTC; and Ali Solaiman, second vice chair and MILF central committee member. —Jigger Jerusalem