Featured image above shows Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., as he receives a Plaque of Appreciation at the 2026 Bangsamoro History Month celebration. (Image: Office of the Speaker)
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𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 — Parliament Speaker Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., graced the culmination of Bangsamoro History Month 2026 held on March 31, at the Bangsamoro Museum anchored on the theme “Reclaiming Our Story, Preserving Our Identity, and Restoring Our Dignity,” where he delivered a keynote message emphasizing remembrance, identity, and collective responsibility.
In his keynote address, Yacob underscored that the occasion goes beyond celebration, describing it as a moment to honor the struggles and sacrifices that shaped the Bangsamoro identity.
“Today, as we mark the culmination of Bangsamoro History Month, we do not simply gather to celebrate — we gather to remember, to feel, and to honor,” Yacob said.
He emphasized that the history of the Bangsamoro is defined by hardship and perseverance — marked by sacrifice yet sustained by enduring faith and hope. The Speaker recalled significant sites of struggle, including Camp Abubakar As-Siddique in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte; Camp Rajamuda, Buliok Complex, Pikit, North Cotabato; and in and Butig in Lanao del Sur, as enduring symbols of courage and resilience among the Bangsamoro people.
Paying tribute to fallen heroes and their families, Yacob expressed the region’s collective gratitude, recognizing their sacrifices as foundational to the gains of peace and self-governance today.
He also highlighted the enduring legacy of Sheikh Salamat Hashim, founder and chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), noting that the Bangsamoro struggle remains a continuing journey toward justice and self-determination—anchored in dignity, peace, and unity.
Further, the Bangsamoro Speaker that the Bangsamoro struggle is not confined to history but it goes on and continues to guide present actions toward peace, unity, and cultural preservation.
“Our struggle does not end in history — it lives on in what we choose to do today. In every step toward peace, in every effort to safeguard our culture, and in every act of unity, we give life to the true spirit of the Bangsamoro,” he stressed.
He also emphasized the importance of preserving Moro culture, describing traditions, languages, arts, and faith not only as markers of identity but as sources of strength and responsibility for future generations.
“Our Moro culture — our traditions, languages, arts, and faith — is not merely our identity. It is our strength. It is our soul,” he added.
Calling for continued action, the Speaker urged the Bangsamoro people to carry forward their history through efforts that promote peace, safeguard culture, and strengthen unity, affirming, “We will never forget, we will never abandon our identity, and we will continue to strive for a future worthy of the sacrifices of our past.”
The observance of Bangsamoro History Month continues to serve as a vital platform for deepening historical awareness and reinforcing a shared sense of identity among the Bangsamoro people.
Established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 CAB, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages — now eight new municipalities — that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. (✓)
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Source: Office of the Parliament Speaker.