Camp Bushra Somiorang chief hails gov’t support for Bangsamoro

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 6, 2021): Camp Bushra Somiorang chief hails gov’t support for Bangsamoro (By Claire R. Gigje)

BUTIG, Lanao del Sur, June 6 (PIA)--Camp Bushra Somiorang chairman, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Northeastern Mindanao Front’s commander and parliament member Basit “Jannati” Mimbantas” Abbas pleasantly lauded the present administration for the visible relevant initiatives delivered in Bangsamoro communities through the normalization track.

During the turnover of mobile rice mills kicked off by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) at his camp in Lanao del Sur Friday, June 4, Abbas recognized the striving departments and organizations that kept an eye on the peace process.

“We thank the generous assistance of the different contributors from the government, the DTI and other departments, the OPAPP, JNC, JPSC, other organizations and individuals who are behind the realization of our elusive dreams and for all the projects and developments in implementing the normalization track of the peace process,” Abbas warmly stated in his opening message.

He further delivered his appreciation to leaders in authority, groups, and the public who exerted efforts to campaign for the approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

“We convey our ocean of gratitude to the international community, to all stakeholders both local and national for all your unforgettable contributions and assistance, to our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Senate and Congress, the Supreme Court, the AFP, PNP, peace mechanism, local government units, and our masses who supported and voted overwhelmingly for the Bangsamoro Organic Law during the historic plebiscite,” Abbas expressed.

The BOL was signed way back in 2018 and designated as Republic Act No. 11054 paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) repealing the law of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

With this, Abbas acknowledged the impact brought by the realized Bangsamoro transition.

“The invisibility status of the Bangsamoro for the past 500 years is now in the state of visibility in the corners of the globe because of all your support and historic assistance for which the Bangsamoro is indebted,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abbas saw the latest conducted government service in their area as a notable initiative as it signified the continuous pushing of their mission which is peace and progress.

“Our momentous gathering today is a very significant and historical event because this is a reflection or continuation of our noble endeavor and sacrifices to attain just and lasting peace and development in the Bangsamoro in particular and our country in general,” he pronounced.

During the recent government outreach at Camp Bushra Somiorang, the DTI and the OPAPP handed over five mobile rice mills for the camp’s noted cooperatives through the Inter Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization-Peaceful Return and Aggressive Inclusion Social Entrepreneurship (ICCMN-PRAISE). (CRG/ PIA-ICIC)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1077350