BARMM to explore all avenues for 'united Bangsamoro'

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government said it would examine possible ways to keep a "united Bangsamoro" in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling excluding the province of Sulu from the region.

“We will carefully study the Supreme Court's decision on Sulu's exclusion with the commitment to explore all avenues to hold fast to the dream of a united Bangsamoro as well as ensure that the commitments enshrined in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro will be fully realized,” Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said in a statement.

Ebrahim said Sulu is not only a key component of the Bangsamoro "by virtue of law but also by its deep historical and cultural ties to the Bangsamoro identity and struggle. "

"The Bangsamoro will never be the same without Sulu and its people,” he said.

“We remain hopeful that in time, the unity that binds the Bangsamoro people through history, struggle, and shared aspirations will prevail,” Ebrahim added.

While the SC earlier declared the validity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the law that established the BARMM, the high court declared that it was wrong to include Sulu in the region as it rejected the BOL during the 2019 plebiscite. 

During the plebiscite, the 'yes' vote lost at 137,630 as against 163,526 'no' votes.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman also shared the same sentiments. 

"Ang kwento ng mga magigiting na mandirigma ng Sulu ay bahagi ng naratiba ng Bangsamoro. Maraming bayani at mujahideen mula sa Moro National Liberation Front ay galing sa lalawigan ito," Hataman said. 

(The story of our warriors from Sulu is part of the narrative of the Bangsamoro. There were a lot of heroes and mujahideen in the Moro National Liberation Front that came from the province.) 

"Kaya ang pagkakahiwalay ng Sulu mula sa Bangsamoro ay tahasang pagtanggi sa malaking kontribusyon at importanteng papel na ginampanan ng mga taga-lalawigan sa kasaysayan ng rehiyon.”  

(The separation of Sulu from Bangsamoro is a denial of its big contribution and important role in the region’s history.) 

BARMM is set to have its first parliamentary elections in May 2025. But with the latest decision, Sulu will not be participating in the elections. 

With the latest development, the Commission on Elections also moved the period of filing of certificates of candidacy and manifestation of intent to participate in the parliamentary elections to November 4 to 9.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News