WARM WELCOME President Marcos gets a warm welcome in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Wednesday, where he launched the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” grassroots initiative and the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Convergence Program. —Presidential Communications Office photo
COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — President Marcos on Wednesday assured Bangsamoro officials and residents that the long-delayed historic parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will push through on Sept. 14 despite the security threats facing the region.
“We are determined to push through with the [BARMM] elections on the second Monday of September to achieve our dreams finally, our goals of being able to say that we have a duly elected parliament in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” the President said as the audience inside the Army headquarters gymnasium at Awang in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, erupted in applause.
“Our commitment also extends to preserving the religious and cultural traditions of our Muslim brothers and sisters,” he added.
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Marcos made the pronouncement amid fresh security threats that surfaced with the recent attacks against military forces in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte despite the implementation of gun ban across the region.
On Saturday and Sunday last week, four attacks were launched against military personnel and installations in the Maguindanao provinces, leaving five people wounded. Military and police officials said the attacks were in retaliation for the successful security operations in the area.
READ: Political shakeup in BARMM continues ahead of Sept. 14 polls
On Tuesday, a bomb expert allegedly trained by slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, was arrested in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur.
Muslimin Amilil, also the second most wanted person in the Bangsamoro region, was arrested in Barangay Tukanalipao, where 44 members of the elite police Special Action Forces (SAF) were killed in January 2015 during an operation to capture Marwan.
Col. Michael John Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur provincial police director, said a joint police and Army law enforcement operation captured Amilil, who is wanted for various criminal charges.
Mangahis said their information showed that Amilil used to be a bomb maker of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under subcommander Zainodin Kiaro.
He said Amilil and Kiaro were both students of the slain Marwan and Dawlah Islamiyah leader Basit Usman, who was killed during a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front members in May 2015.
Stronger partnership
In his speech, President Marcos pushed for a stronger partnership between the Bangsamoro region and the national government.
“We are advancing a shared vision of a more peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Philippines guided by the belief that the strength of our nation rests on the well-being and the dignity of every Filipino,” he said.
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua welcomed the President’s visit and his assurance to the Bangsamoro people that the Sept. 14 elections will continue as scheduled.
“Everybody in BARMM wants the election to be held so that the leaders will have a genuine mandate from the Bangsamoro people,” Macacua told reporters.
Mr. Marcos’ visit, he said, is an indication of the President’s “heart for BARMM” and an effort to ensure that his campaign, “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” (Every Town Must Benefit), is carried out and that no one should be left behind in the autonomous Muslim region.
“The President’s visit reflects the continuing strong partnership between the national government and the Bangsamoro government in promoting lasting peace, inclusive development, and stronger intergovernmental cooperation for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people,” Macacua said.
The program was an initiative aimed at enhancing coordination and cooperation between the national and BARMM governments in implementing programs and services that directly benefit the people of the Bangsamoro region.
The President led the ceremonial turnover of some P3.4 billion worth of projects and assistance during the launch of the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Convergence Program in Maguindanao del Norte.
Marcos also presided over the ceremonial turnover of the Socio-Civic Projects Fund to the Cotabato City government and the provincial governments of the BARMM to support the implementation of priority development projects. /cb
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