Bangsamoro Basic Law: A Reaction

by: Proceso L. Orcullo, Ph.D.

Reactor

Pres. Brod. Ellakim and members of the administration, Cor Jesu College, guests, Datu
Mussolini Lidasan, director, Al Qalam Institution Ateneo de Davao, Atty. Romeo T. Cabarde,
Jr., Director Apila Center, Ateneo de Davao and Amiral Ali Lidasan, President, Suaro,
Bangsamoro, College dean, Dr. Alex D. Niez, members of the faculty, students, ladies and
gentlemen.

The Bangsamoro according to MOA (Memo. of Agreement) will have the following:
That Bangsamoro will have its: 1. Own basic law; 2. Internal security force; 3. A system of
banking and finance; Art.5; 4. Civil service, Education and legislative institutions; 5. Full
authority to develop and dispose its mineral resources to be shared by GRP and Bangsamoro, on
a percentage ratio of 75% and 25% in favor of Bangsamoro; 6. Have its own army and police;
Art. 5; 7. Conduct diplomacy and foreign relations with other countries; Art. 5; 8. Issue its own
currency; Art. 5; 9. Allow them to carry arms and raise troops; 10. Full responsibility for land
use; 11. The right to explore and exploit all potential sources of energy both offshore and
onshore; 12. Right to develop mineral resources.

Literally, Bangsamoro means (moro), nation (bangsa). The concept initially emerged in
the 1960’s during the early phases of Muslim rebellion against the Philippine state. Over the
years, the concept of Bangsamoro has been used to signify various meanings, these are nation,
identity, homeland, people, all of which have served to express the muslim people’s pursuit for
self-determination after centuries of colonization and minoritization, according to the report,
“Shared and Contested Meanings in the Mindanao Conflict: Exploring People’s
Understanding of Bangsamoro” by Judith M. de Guzman (2010) of Ateneo de Manila, and
Charlie M. Inzon, OMI (2010) of Notre Dame of Jolo College, as cited from (Buendia, 2005;
Ferrer, 2005; Jubair, 199; Kamlian, 1999).
 On the other hand, the concept of Bangsamoro has been identified with violence and
chaos particularly as an artifact of foreign colonization, (Angeles, 2010) and also linked to
terroristic activities, (San Juan, 2006). The meanings of Bangsamoro appear to be multiple,
diverse and contested.

In that study of de Guzman, (2010) and Inzon, (2010) the concept of Bangsamoro
resulted to four wide aspects: 1. Bangsamoro as religion, 2. Bangsamoro as an oppressive,
destructive and violent struggle, 3. Bangsamoro as a struggle for rights, peace and self-
determination, and 4. Bangsamoro as members of common humanity.

In Bangsamoro as religion, Bangsamoro is referred to group of people who share

common faith as muslims and a common history as people who fought for Islam against foreign
colonization. Further, Bangsamoro as religion duly recognized muslims as members of
Bangsamoro and its social goal excludes non-muslims from Bangsamoro. Muslims were
considered legitimate members of Bangsamoro, as well as defenders of Islam. Non-muslims
were positioned as non-Bangsamoro, as well as people subject to foreign colonization.

What seems to be contrasting in this claim is the declaration of Bangsamoro proponent,

the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) in their own declaration, that Bangsamoro includes
all muslims, lumad, Christian people in Mindanao, who share a desire for peace in the
region.

In the Article II, Bangsamoro identity of its Bangsamoro basic law, the question of
who are the Bangsamoro people? The answer, reads those who at that time of conquest and
colonization were considered natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and Sulu archipelago
and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and their spouses and descendants, who have
identified themselves as Bangsamoro, (Article II, Section 1).

Question: Is the words natives or original inhabitants include lumads and/or lowland
christians as declared by MILF?

The second aspect, which is Bangsamoro as oppressive, destructive and violent

struggle. In this concept, Bangsamoro is a struggle that aims to marginalize and subjugate non-
muslim in Mindanao. For some Christians, the aspirations of the Bangsamoro for their own
territory would lead to confusion and division in the country. Their aspirations for a territory of
their own goes against the goal of a Philippines that is truly united.

In sum, the Bangsamoro was constructed as a struggle that aims to oppress non-muslims
in Mindanao, detrimental to the nation as it leads to division and underdevelopment and a
struggle that us carries out and supported by people who are morally deficient.

The third aspect, that of Bangsamoro as a struggle for rights, self-determination and
peace. Within this aspect, it means that members and supporters of Bangsamoro were freedom
fighters who struggle for rights and freedom, as peace advocates who work for the realization of
peace in Mindanao and country.

The fourth aspect, that Bangsamoro as members of common community. This

actually means people who are just like others, their beliefs have to be respected in view of
fellowship. This common humanity further refers to peace building initiatives such as inter-
faith dialogue, inter-religious peace camps and culture of peace seminars and trainings.

Thank you.