MAIMBUNG, SULU — In a show of solidarity, the five governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) vowed to continue supporting the Bangsamoro peace process, particularly the BARMM government’s peace and security agenda in the region.

This commitment was made during the 2nd BARMM Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting held here in the island-province on Saturday, June 10.

A symbol of unity

The event brought together top BARMM officials and representatives from key sectors to discuss pressing peace and security issues and concerns, and provide recommendations on how to further strengthen peacekeeping efforts in the region.

The gathering is viewed as a demonstration of the regional governors’ unequivocal support to the Bangsamoro government. It is the first time that the BARMM RPOC meeting was conducted in Sulu with the five regional governors present.

“In the coming together of governors to advocate for common positions on critical issues, we want to assure everyone that we are motivated only by our sincere desire for the BARMM and the peace process to succeed,” Sulu Provincial Governor Abdusakur Tan said in his welcome message.

He was referring to the conduct of the BARMM Governors Caucus (BGC) launched last June 6, 2023,

“Our message to our Interim Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, and all citizens of BARMM, we are committed to support the peace process. We are committed to support your leadership and the BTA. LGUs are constituent units of the BARMM, and the success of the regional government is our success,” Tan stressed.

RPOC Chairman and BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, in his opening statement, remarked: “Our ultimate goal remains the achievement of lasting peace and reconciliation. We have witnessed the devastating impact of conflict on our communities for far too long. It is time to heal the wounds of the past, foster unity, and forge a future of peaceful coexistence.”

“Through dialogue, tolerance, and understanding, we will build bridges that transcend ethnic, religious, and cultural divides, striving for a society where every individual feels valued and respected,” Ebrahim added.

The chief minister also asked for the continued support and cooperation of LGUs and all stakeholders in the region, describing peacebuilding as a “collective endeavor and challenging everyone to “rise above petty differences, embrace the spirit of collaboration.

Ebrahim also emphasized the need to “work together towards a brighter future for the Bangsamoro region. Together, we have the power to create a region that serves as a shining example of peace.”

Peace and security updates

Western Mindanao Command chief LtGen. Roy M Gallido gave a situationer on the peace and security situation in the region, highlighting the dismantling of guerilla fronts and neutralization of 225 local terrorist groups (LTG) personalities.

Police Regional Office – BARMM PBGen Allan Cruz Nobleza reported that the crime solution efficiency in the region increased by 3.77% in the first two quarters of this year, as compared to the same period last year.

Nobleza also highlighted the PRO-BARMM’s successful operations carried out against local terrorist groups and private armed groups and its campaign on Illegal drugs and illegal logging, as well as interventions to resolve ‘ridos’ (clan wars) and address political-related acts of violence.

He also shared the ways forward and other peace initiatives spearheaded the PRO-BARMM such as the BARMM Stakeholder’s Summit for Unity and Peace held last May 11, 2023, its close collaboration barangay local government units and other stakeholders to address security concerns in the communities, and the recruitment of Moro National Liberation Front MILF and MNLF members into the PNP.

Also discussed during the meeting are the current peacebuilding interventions being implemented by the BARMM government that are helping to transform former violent extremists (VEs), their families and communities.

These initiatives include socio-economic and community livelihood/enterprise assistance, and capacity and confidence-building measures to help VEs reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as peaceful and productive civilians.

The BARMM Tugon Program, in particular, provides VEs with cash-for-work, legal, livelihood and housing, education and medical assistance, among others. A total of 2,856 individuals have benefitted from the program.

GPH support to BARMM’s peace and security

Former Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and Senior Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., also participated in the meeting, as he reaffirmed the national government’s full support to the BARMM RPOC’s peace and security agenda.

“We would like to thank Governor Sakurtan for hosting this very symbolic event and on behalf of OPAPRU (Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity). We would like to express our special thanks to the Chairman, we are happy and very thankful that all of the Governors are here,” Galvez said.

A delegation from the OPAPRU) likewise attended the gathering. The group was led by OPAPRU Presidential Adviser David Diciano; Executive Director Jordan Bayam, head of Special Concerns on the Bangsamoro; and Dir. Jana Gallardo, head of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Peace Process Office. ###