The Local Government Unit of Pikit, North Cotabato held a forum on the proposed Bangsamoro Government on June 7, 2014, held at Pikit Pilot Central Elementary School. It was attended by thousands of residents comprising Moros and settlers from Pikit and neighbouring municipalities of North Cotabato and Maguindanao province.
The big event was spearheaded by Pikit Mayor Muhyrin Sultan-Casi and members of the municipal council; former mayor Sumulong Sultan and his wife Dulia Sultan, Board Member of the province of Cotabato. Two Cotabato Board Members also attended. Members of the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) served as peacekeepers/security during the duration of the event.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) delegation was headed by 1st Vice Chairman for Political Affairs, Ghazali Ja’afar. Members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Malaysia and Norway were also present.
In her opening remarks, Board Member Dulia Sultan expressed her full support to the Bangsamoro government. She called on all the participants to vote for “YES” to Bangsamoro during the plebiscite.
MILF !st Vice Chairman Ja’afar in his message narrated the accurate history of Mindanao and the Moros. He said that Bangsamoro people fought for centuries against colonization and oppression that started when the Spaniards set foot on the shores of Mindanao up to the succeeding foreign and local colonizers.
He added that the real owners of all lands in Mindanao were the Bangsamoro and our brothers Lumads (indigenous people). All Christians in Mindanao were from Luzon and Visayas who settled to Mindanao through act of government and they didn’t bring with them even one foot square meter of land, Vice Chairman Ja’far said. Many migrated to Mindanao, occupied Moro and Lumads lands and settled in the region permanently, until today.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) delegation was headed by 1st Vice Chairman for Political Affairs, Ghazali Ja’afar. Members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Malaysia and Norway were also present.
In her opening remarks, Board Member Dulia Sultan expressed her full support to the Bangsamoro government. She called on all the participants to vote for “YES” to Bangsamoro during the plebiscite.
MILF !st Vice Chairman Ja’afar in his message narrated the accurate history of Mindanao and the Moros. He said that Bangsamoro people fought for centuries against colonization and oppression that started when the Spaniards set foot on the shores of Mindanao up to the succeeding foreign and local colonizers.
He added that the real owners of all lands in Mindanao were the Bangsamoro and our brothers Lumads (indigenous people). All Christians in Mindanao were from Luzon and Visayas who settled to Mindanao through act of government and they didn’t bring with them even one foot square meter of land, Vice Chairman Ja’far said. Many migrated to Mindanao, occupied Moro and Lumads lands and settled in the region permanently, until today.
He added that the Bangsamoro people are not land squatters. He also delved and discussed clearly the proposed Bangsamoro government especially on the status of the Christians under the new region. He said that Christians will enjoy all their rights and privileges in the Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro is not an Islamic Region but rather a democratic one where everybody can enjoy their rights under the law and are protected by the government.
He asked all Christians that live in the proposed region “not to be afraid and worried of Bangsamoro saying they will be part of it”. He cited Indonesia where about 98% of its populations are Muslims but the head of the Indonesian Armed Forces is a Christian.
In his speech, Vice Mayor Dong Mangansakan, called on the national government officials and President Benigno Aquino III to fast track the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law by Congress. He added that Moros are also trained in public administration and governance. He thanked the leadership of the MILF leadership in disseminating to the Christians of Pikit and all its residents of accurate information on the proposed Bangsamoro government.
The forum was organized by the MILF “Liguasan Province” where Pikit belong. Members of the MILF-Liguasan Provincial Police Force (PPF) also attended and served as security marshals.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1030-lgu-of-pikit-cotabato-holds-forum-on-bangsamoro-governmenrt
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