Manila: The historic parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) mark an important step toward achieving elusive peace and development in the region and across the Philippines, a Muslim scholar and advocate of peace and development said.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Acram A. Latiph, executive director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao at the Mindanao State University (MSU), noted that self-governance and autonomy in Muslim Mindanao are finally within reach-50 years after the historic Tripoli Agreement, the first peace document signed between the Philippine government and leaders of the Muslim secessionist movement.
Latiph highlighted that the 50 years leading to the BARMM elections witnessed numerous 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 Sr.
'Ang nagtanim ng puno ay iyong yumaong [President] Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. At ngayon, after 50 years, iyong puno lumalaki na. Sa Sept. 14. nagbloom 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 (The tree was planted by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. And now, after 50 years, that tree has grown. By Sept. 14. it will have bloomed, ready for harvest. It feels like destiny. PBBM's late father started it, and now his son will bring it to completion. And we will finally achieve peace-not just here in Mindanao, but throughout the entire Philippines),' Latiph said.
The MSU economics professor recalled that the path to the monumental BARMM democratic exercise was arduous. '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 (because what was being avoided there was how not to have a widespread conflict . to preserve your society and the agreement that started with the Tripoli Agreement to meet the grievances and aspirations of the Moros for self-autonomy and self-governance. Which can now be realized),' Latiph said.
Latiph said implementing the original peace accord had been difficult due to differences in 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 (Then, the view that a constitutional amendment was necessary to implement the terms of the agreement also became an obstacle. Differing interpretations of the Tripoli Agreement posed a hurdle),' 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 that 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 Dec. 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 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, President 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 affirmed the administration's readiness for the Sept. 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.
