BARMM releases official flag based on new region's first organic act

COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has released its official flag after the banner's design was duly approved by the parliament and signed by its chief minister.

Last Wednesday, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim or popularly known Murad Ebrahim signed the first Bangsamoro Act, adopting the official flag of newly-created BARMM region.

The flag has four distinctive colors –it has a crescent, a star with seven rays, and a kris (Moro sword).

“BARMM's flag reflects its people’s identity, history, heritage, struggles and aspirations,” said regional spokesperson Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo at a weekly Kapihan sa BARMM.

Also, the region's banner has three-color pattern –at the top is green, which reflects the Islamic teachings and principles; the middle portion is white, signifying peace, Sakina (tranquility) and righteousness; and at bottom part is red, symbolizing the fallen Mujahideens who fought for the recognition of identity and self-determination of the Bangsamoro.

At the center of the white portion, a crescent and star with seven rays (both in yellow) can be found. Their color represents a bright future that awaits the Bangsamoro people.

While the crescent symbolizes the principles of that guided the Bangsamoro in their struggle for self-determination, the star with seven rays represents the five provinces (Maguindanao, Lanao Del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Basilan, Cotabato City, and the 63 barangays) that are now component parts of the Bangsamoro territory.

Finally, the white Kris imprinted on the bottom red stripe of the banner symbolizes the protection and resistance of the Bangsamoro people and other indigenous inhabitants of the the territory against oppression, tyranny, and injustice. —LBG, GMA News