Honor the martyrs of Jabidah Massacre by completing the implementation of the peace agreements, and extending the transition period to three more years
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COTABATO CITY, March 18, 2024 — The undersigned civil society organizations in Mindanao join the Bangsamoro people in solemn remembrance today, Monday, of the 56th anniversary of the Jabidah Massacre.
This tragic event in Philippine history is regarded as the spark that ignited the Morop revolution and served as a catalyst for the Moro people’s resistance against injustice, oppression, and discrimination.
Fifty-six years from that fateful day on Corregidor Island, the Bangsamoro people are still in the process of rebuilding from the ashes of war and violence. It took two major peace agreements to resolve the root causes of the armed conflict and address the legitimate grievances of the Moro people vis-à-vis the Philippine government, namely, the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on signed on September 6, 1996 and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forged on March 27, 2014.
Where past administrations have failed, the administration of the younger Marcos has succeeded in bringing together all the Moro revolutionary fronts in the halls of the Bangsamoro Parliament to adopt to democratic processes and contend in the peaceful battle of ideas. This political arrangement for synergy and convergence proves to be effective, totally unprecedented and truly commendable.
It is fascinating to observe how the former combatants of both MNLF and MILF transformed themselves to become dedicated parliamentarians and pursue the struggle with much more vigor through their impassioned debates and speeches in the Parliament instead of fierce exchange of bullets.
The ongoing political transition has afforded the Bangsamoro people the much needed respite for BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) to flourish and develop.
Official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows that the BARMM economy is growing with Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) reaching up to 7.5% in 2021 and 6.6% in 2022. BARMM also ranks 10th in terms of economic growth rate.
Similarly, PSA has reported that BARMM’s poverty incidence decreased from 52.6% in 2018 to 29.9 in 2019, indicating a rise in disposable income level. This robust economic growth is undeniably one of the visible accomplishments of BARMM during the transition period.
Fifty-six years following the Jabidah Massacre, today marks a notably optimistic juncture for the Moro people, brimming with hope and a positive outlook towards the future. We attribute this progress to the steadfast leadership of Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Al-Haj Murad” Ebrahim and the strong support and unwavering commitment of President Bongbong Marcos.
As we turn the page on the somber chapter of Bangsamoro history and embrace the dawn of peace and development, we implore our leaders to approach the upcoming 2025 election with heightened caution and restraint.
We earnestly implore our esteemed President Bongbong Marcos to safeguard the delicate peace that is only just beginning to flourish in the Bangsamoro region. Mr. President, we appeal to you to shield this fragile peace from the self-serving agendas of politics and power struggles. You owe this sacred duty to the millions of civilians who are already enjoying the dividends of peace. We implore you to extend the transition period for another three years to fully implement the peace agreement.
May our sacrifices and prayers this Holy Month of Ramadhan bring us enduring peace, bountiful blessings and abundance.
SIGNED:
- Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society
- CSO Movement for Moral Governance (CSO-MMG)
- Coalition of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials for Moral Governance
- League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO)
- Kulamanen Manobo Development Initiatives (KMDI)
- Mindanao Peoples Caucus for Peace and Solidarity, Inc.
- Moro Women Development and Cultural Center Inc.
- Kapeyapaan Farmers Association
- Bantay Ceasefire
- Oblate Missionary Foundation- Inter-religous Dialogue Program (OMF-IRD)
- SENTRO- Soccsksargen
- TASBIKKA- Parang Maguindanao
- Singanen O Mindanao
- Save Sulu Movement
- Bangsamoro Women Action for Development Initiatives
- Mindanao Homeland Development, Inc.
- Union of Muslim Youth Organizarions, Inc. (UMYOi)
- United Youth for Peace & Development (UNYPAD)
- Federation of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organization (FBCSO)
- KITAB
- Bawgbug Advocates for Peace and Human Rights
- Basilan Human Rights Action Network
- Kapatutan Baran
- Socksargen Workers Network for Grassroots Advocacy
- Women Initiatives for Social Empowerment (WISE)
- Transportworkers Alliance-NCTU
- Fishworkers Solidarity
- Bantay Ceasefire
- Confederated Descendants of Rajah Mamalu, Inc.
- Bangsamoro Communications Network, Inc.
- Mindanao Advocacy and Social Communication, Inc.
- Moro Women Development and Culture Center (MWDECC)
- Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives (MAPDI)
- Women’s Organizations Movement of the Bangsamoro (WOMB)
- Tulung Lupah Sug
- Federation of Bangsamoro Coordinating Council of the Philippines (FBCCP)
- United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD)
- Integrated Mindanaoan Association for Natives (IMAN)
- BANUG- Basilan Alliance for Normalization Unity and Good Governance
- Suara Kalilintad
- Sultan Kudarat Coffee Ventures, Inc.
- Bangsamoro Multimedia Network
- Tawi-Tawi Youth for Peace
- Community Alliance for Reform Engagement, INC.
- Muslim Upliftment Foundation in Tawi-Tawi Inc. (MUFTI)
- Women’s Organization of Rajah Mamalu Descendants (WORMD)
- Coalition of Moro Youth Movement (CMYM)
- Youth Union for New Governance (YOUNG)
- Real Autonomy-Now (RAnow) Movement
- MYPEACE Boses ng Kabataan
- Association of Tausug With Disabilities (ATD) SULU
- Sittio Subah Batang Farmers and Fisherfolks Cooperative
- Kudal Agri-business Marketing Cooperative
- Women Insider for Mindanao Peace and Development
- Al IHSAAN- Basilan Province
- Bantay Basilan, Inc.
- Gaganddilan Mindanao Women, Inc.
- Deyangba Women’s Organization, Inc.
- Kalilintad Kudal Farmers fisher folk Association
- SPMS Box United Youth Leaders (UYL)
- Basilan Youth Action for initiative on Development(BYAID)
- Sulu Youth Network, Inc. (SYN)
- Lundang Karabat Association
- Sulu Women’s Rights Movement
- Alliance for Genuine Unity in Mindanao- AGUM (Tawi-Tawi Women’s Sector)
- Basulta Contact Group for Peace (BCG)
- Sulu Tanjuh Organization (STO)
- Matawkasi Incorporated
- Bangsamoro Youth Association (BYA)
- Moro Youth Catalyst Advocates (MYCA)
- VAW-C Women Association
- Jaga Lupah Sug
- Settlers Association
- Safe Sulu Livelihood Service Cooperative
- Tausog Gagandilan Young Professionals Organization
- Krislam Organization
- Provincial Youth Development Office Sulu
- Citizen Anti-Crime Group
- Ulimbanag sin Kababaihan
- Sulu Youth Peace Club
- Sulu Youth Network, Inc.
- Taga Amulahi Inc.
- Omar Youth Peace and Development
- Gagandilan Inc.
- Tausog League Transformation
- Coalition of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials for Moral Governance (CSKO-MG)
- Lundang Karabat Association
- Moro Peace Alliance Youth Organization Inc. (MPAYOi)
- Philippine Muslim Student Assoociation (PHIMSA)
- AL-MIFTAH ORGANIZATION INC
- Philippine Integrated College Academy Foundation Inc. (PICAF)
- Maranao Youth Center (MYC)
- Advocate For Youth Development (AYD)
- Ugop ko Masa Organization (UMO)
- Abante Kabataan Organization (AKO)
- Singanen ago Panginam O Moro Youth Organization
- RGBM Bongabong Youth Organizations
- Ako Youth Organization
- MSU Young Researchers Club
- Ranao Youth Tanggol Kalikasan
- Pamokaw Youth Organizations
- Bangsamoro Center for Justpeace in the Phil. (BCJP)
- Ibalaton Socio-Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ISEDF)
- Noorus Salaam National Women Council Inc.
- Talainged Alliance of Brotherhood for Empowerment and Development, Inc. (TABED)
- Sultan Anwaruddin bin Sultan Bangon Descendants Association, (ABDAS, INC)
- Former Overseas Bangsamoro Worker Organization Inc. (FOBWA)
- Mindanao People’s Care Foundation, Inc.
- National Association of Bangsamoro Educators Inc. (NABEI)
- Panglima Annao Youth Organization
- Youth Movement for Better Ubol
- Tawi Tawi Agri Fisheries Youth Marketing Cooperative
- TRICKTRASH Group
- SAMA Women’s Council
- Cotabato Center for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc.
- Suwara Nu Mga Babai A Bangsamoro, Inc.
- Tawi-Tawi Movement of Professionals for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement for the Bangsamoro
- Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas (UECFI)
- Association of Teduray Bible Churches Incorporated
- Ilanun Community of Basilan for Peace (ICBAL for Peace)
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Update: March 19, 2024, 9:15 p.m. This was story was updated with the correct list of the civil society organizations.