MANILA, Philippines — Leaders and representatives from the civil society, academe, labor, and business on Tuesday called for sobriety and unity in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) after its education minister is facing ouster over corruption allegations involving over P2 billion in "disbursement lapses" in his office.
“We, leaders and representatives from civil society, academe, labor, and business —sectors that have long supported and contributed to sustaining peace in Mindanao, express deep concern and sadness over the growing tensions and public exchanges involving senior leaders of the Bangsamoro Government at this critical period for the peace process and regional transition,” according to opposition-led Tindig Pilipinas in a post on its Facebook page.
“At this sensitive moment, we appeal to all concerned leaders and stakeholders to exercise sobriety, restraint, and wisdom. We urge all parties to step back from escalating actions and rhetoric, and to seek a principled and peaceful way of resolving differences—one that honors the decades of sacrifice, comradeship, and collective struggle for the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination and just peace,” the multisectoral group said.
It called on BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Basic, Higher and Technical Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, being the leaders of the Bangsamoro transition, to “exhaust all avenues for dialogue and internal resolution in the spirit of unity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.”
“At this critical time, all sides must avoid actions that may deepen polarization or create conditions that could inflame tensions on the ground,” the groups said.
“We strongly urge all parties to refrain from interference, divisive political maneuvering, and actions that have weakened Bangsamoro unity and undermined confidence in the peace process. The continuing resurgence of divide-and-rule dynamics within and around the Bangsamoro transition risks deepening internal fractures, eroding hard-won trust, and delaying the realization of a just and lasting peace for the Bangsamoro people,” the group added.
The groups called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the national government to give “urgent attention” to the situation and ensure that the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process were protected.
“In particular, we reiterate the urgent need for the immediate reconstitution and full activation of the GPH-MILF (Government of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Revolutionary Front) Peace Implementing Panels to address emerging concerns and ensure the full implementation of the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro),” the group said.
Apart from Tindig Pilipinas, other groups who signed the letter included the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, and several individuals that included for presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles.
