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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Former warring MILF, MNLF rebels finally unite, says Palace

Former warring MILF, MNLF rebels finally unite, says Palace

Published Aug 14, 2022 05:15 pm

Malacañang revealed that the former warring members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been finally united under one Bangsamoro autonomous government.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. leads the oath taking of the newly-appointed members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on Aug. 12, 2022 at the Malacañang Palace. (Photo courtesy of OP)

This came after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. administered the mass oath taking of the new members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on Friday, Aug. 12.

“The fact that the unity between the MNLF and MILF happened under the present administration is an indication that President Marcos’ call for unity is being heeded by the former Moro rebel groups,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on Sunday, Aug. 14.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said the composition of the BTA, which will serve until 2025, can now be called the "United Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)."

The BTA is an 80-member governing body tasked to pass crucial legislations to operationalize the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and exercise legislative and executive powers during the region’s transition period.

The BOL specifies that the MILF shall lead the BTA, without prejudice to the participation of the MNLF. The BTA’s 41 members shall be nominated by the MILF, while the remaining 39 members shall be endorsed by the Government of the Philippines (GPH).

"With the joining of the MNLF and the MILF, and with the 'balanced' and equitable composition of the 39 GPH nominees... this is now no longer just the BTA of the old BARMM but the BTA of a 'United BARMM,'" Galvez said.

He noted that the participation of the MNLF, particularly under the leadership of Chair Nur Misuari, is a product of the convergence effort of the OPAPRU to harmonize the Bangsamoro peace agreements that include the 1976 Tripoli, the 1996 Final Peace Agreements and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Among the new members of the BTA are Abdulkarim Misuari and Nurrheda Misuari, son and daughter of Chair Misuari of the MNLF.

“The joining of the MNLF of Chair Nur Misuari with the MILF-led BTA is auspicious and heralds a significant step towards unity in the BARMM,” Galvez said.

The ratification of the Republic Act No. 11054 or the BOL through a plebiscite held in 2019 paved the way for the creation of BARMM, as well as the establishment of the BTA.

Last year, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11593 which postponed elections in BARMM that was scheduled to be held this year, extending the transition period of the BTA until 2025.

During the mass oath taking ceremony, Marcos acknowledged the “great deal of work” that the body should accomplish in three years, from enacting fundamental laws and fiscal policy to conducting elections.

The President highlighted the need for the BTA to pass several legislations such as the Electoral Code, Local Government Code, and some areas of fiscal policies before its 2025 elections that will pave the way to achieving peace, progress, and genuine autonomy in the BARMM.

“Such important laws to be passed in three years is not an easy task, and that’s why I will be here as head of the national government to support BARMM,” he said.

READ MORE: Marcos pledges full support to BARMM transition, strengthening

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