PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11054, or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which aims to creates the region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) last July 27.
The objective of the law will grants self-rule and autonomy for the Muslims in South and Western part of Mindanao
The new region would be composed of the current provinces of ARMM, six towns in Lanao del Norte province, 39 barangay in North Cotabato province, Cotabato City as well as Isabela City in Basilan province.
However, the six towns in Lanao del Norte and 39 barangay in North Cotabato will be allowed to join the BARMM only if their “mother units”—cities or provinces—also agree to it in a plebiscite.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law once ratified will radically change the system of governing, social services, finance, education, and more. It will finally allow the Bangsamoro people -- all thirteen recognized ethnolinguistic groups and the indigenous peoples of these areas -- self-governance and self-determination.
With the Bangsamoro’s decades-long struggle against injustice, conflict and violence, it is especially important to address two of the most critical demographics in regards to the plebiscite. The youth and the traditional leaders are of two different outlooks and perspectives on life, but these are not mutually exclusive. Both must be recognized and acknowledged in the plebiscite.
The Bangsamoro youth are an important demographic as they are the literal future of the region. Without their input, any legacy that the Bangsamoro wishes to establish would be lost. As the future leaders of the region, giving room for their voices allows for better public services and programs. Preventing and countering violent extremism is especially important in the youth, as they are vulnerable to narratives of negative radicalization due to their idealism and beliefs.
The traditional leaders of the region are also a critical demographic. In the culture of the Bangsamoro, these leaders have a say in the governing and civil procedure of their respective communities. As such, to ignore their voice in such a critical period would prove disastrous to any peacebuilding and P/CVE effort.
A common thread that is important in both demographics are the bonds of kinship. It is here where the Bangsamoro finds bonds of trust and confidence, especially in family affairs the conduct of business, governance, and other civil affairs. Unfortunately, this bond has also been used to incite violent extremist acts among two clans, most evident in rido.
These bonds are also a critical part of addressing P/CVE efforts. The family names that are mentioned in the news are moving examples of when entire families are roped into supporting violent extremist acts, and as such, archetypal heroes are created. It is important to offer the Bangsamoro an alternative way, through the bonds of kinship, where they can achieve peace and dialogue with each other.