DAVAO CITY – Several Moro civil society organizations (CSOs) are calling for another three-year extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) as well as postponement of the elections in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) next year for the sake of peace in the region.
In a statement released to the media, League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO) spokesperson Mahdi Amella said that at least 600 CSOs in the region urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to extend the BTA’s term until 2028 “to maintain the momentum of peace.”
Amella added that the extension of BTA is vital in facilitating the full implementation of the normalization track of the peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Government of the Philippines, adding that it has not yet been halfway implemented.
“This extension period is indispensable for both parties to consolidate their efforts towards achieving a successful signing of the exit agreement as envisioned in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB),” he added.
The ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) through a plebiscite held in 2019 paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as well as the establishment of the BTA.
Constituted in 2019, the BTA is an interim lawmaking body of the autonomous region that was created by the CAB in March 2014.
The first set of BTA was supposed to end in 2022. But it was extended until 2025.
Earlier this month, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the 2025 parliamentary elections in the BARMM will push through as scheduled. Galvez added that the President is very firm that there will be an election in 2025 in BARMM.
The statement was his response to the calls from several CSOs for a second three-year extension of the 80-member BTQA.
Amella bared that the CSOs will hold a roadside caravan and a rally on April 29 in time for the visit of Marcos in Maguindanao del Norte.
The President is also expected to visit MILF’s main headquarters in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town and the MILF’s former headquarters in Camp Abubakar.
Amella said that a huge number of people are expected to join the gathering to press the President for the extension of BTA.
The extension will give the current BTA ample time to address lingering issues and ensure that the transition towards lasting peace is comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable, he added.
“Conducting the parliamentary election in 2025 without adequate preparation and consensus-building efforts could potentially exacerbate tensions and lead to violence,” the LBO said.
The second extension of the BTA, the group said, is imperative for realizing the full potential of the peace agreement between the MILF and the government.
“It offers a critical opportunity to address outstanding issues, promote socio-economic development, enhance political participation, foster democratic institutions, and consolidate gains towards lasting peace in the Bangsamoro region.”