Thousands of residents in Wao, Lanao del Sur opposes inclusion in Bangsamoro

Thousands of residents in Wao, Lanao del Sur opposes inclusion in Bangsamoro

Ferdinandh B. Cabrera

Cotabato City--- While majority in Central Mindanao are rejoicing on the signing of Bangsamoro comprehensive agreement today, a group of majority Christian settlers in Wao town in the province of Lanao del Sur has staged rally this morning to call for an exclusion in the Bangsamoro region.

Talked over the phone, Mayor Elvino Balicao said, early this morning, around seven thousand residents, mostly Ilonggo settlers has flocked in the town area to call the attention of the national government to debar them from Bangsamoro region.

The peace rally was staged  despite a long process of plebescite and law ratifications to become as bangsamoro region until it reaches to the signing of the law.

But Balicao clarified, they are not  against the Bangsamoro, in fact they are supporting the signing of the comprehensive agreement that aimed  on the long sought clamor of majority Muslim moro’s in Mindanao.

“We are one with our Muslim brothers and sisters in the bangsamoro and since Wao town is a majority christian settlers, we want them to fully enjoy the creation of a new political entity according to their ways and traditions ”, he said.

Balicao added, the majority Ilonggo settlers don’t want to hurdle moves that are not bound to Islamic principles which they see as the aspirations for Bangsamoro.

“That is why we wanted to be excluded and I just want to appeal that if time comes the plebescite, let the true voices  of the people or the result of the plebescite will come out”, the mayor said.

The group Lihok Wao initiated the grand rally.Perla Inigo, the head coordinator said, they will continue to raise noise until the president will hear their insistence.

“ If the president has granted the aspirations  of the bangsamoro then why not also hear our demand for a peaceful society of excluding to bangsamoro”, she said.

A signed mass manifesto was released by the group and aimed this would reach Malacanang, senate and congress.

Contents of the manifesto said there was lack of  massive and intensive consultations.

The manifesto stated that Christians (in Wao), the minority group in the ARMM, and yet the majority populace in our town of WAO (80%) were not well represented and consulted at in the process.

It also said that last November 4, 2013 a group of facilitators commissioned by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission(BTC) came to Wao to conduct a consultation among the constituents, but said consultative meeting was so selective in nature and not inclusive, only few sectors of the community were invited, only 5 participants from the Christian stakeholder were present, and the rest were from Muslim commune which do not represent the whole constituency of the Municipality.

Another issue raised in manifesto that triggered devisiveness was misapprehensions like “Bantay lang kamo kun mag-Bangsamoro na” (You must be careful when Bangsamoro is implemented!); “Mabawi man lang gihapon namon ina na lupa kun mag-Bangsmaoro na!” ( That parcel of lands / lots will surely be back to us upon the implementation of Bangsamoro government!) are quoted from the mouths of some Maranao constituents themselves of Wao which are so scary on the  part of Christians settlers.

Wao town, is a christian-settlers dominated community in Lanao del Sur province. It is one of the most progressive and multi-awarded  town based on government performance like Galing Pook Awardee in 2010 and Seal of Good housekeeping in 2012.

Based on the  2010 census, it has 83 % christian and 17% muslim ratio.

There are 26 barangay and only 7 are Muslim dominated villages.

Wao town is  found at the edge of Lanao del Sur between the borders of Bukidnon and North Cotabato. Inigo asked if where they wanted to go if they want to be excluded when the choices are the nearby provinces, she just utttered, “Bukidnon is the better option”, she said.

The group added they are willing to discuss the this concern to BTC anytime they will schedule to conduct another mass consultations in their town.

END.

Hataman to MILF: “Continue and make better on the present reform efforts”

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Ash wednesday in Cotabato, Philippines

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BIFF attacks military camp in Maguindanao, 4 killed

Cotabato City--- At least four were killed and two others were wounded after an intense battle between  Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and troops from 2^nd Mechanized battalion in crossing Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan,Maguindanao.

Troops from 2nd Mechanized Battalion on alert

Col. Edgar Gonzales, commanding offficer of 1^st Mechanized brigade based in Shariff Aguak town confirmed that at least three of BIFF members were killed in a 30-minute exchange of fire when the lawless group harassed their camp battalion that started around 11:55 pm.

“The dead bodies  were immediately brought by their comrades, this report was confirmed by local residents and our people in the ground”, Gonzales said.

Three personnel from government soldiers were also wounded and no one has died, according to the military official, contrary to what has BIFF  claimed that several soldiers were killed during their attack and ambush friday night.

BIFF spokesman Abumisry Mama said, they used at least 30 rounds of M-79 grenade launchers, walloping army troops inside the 2^nd mechanized battalion which is 300 to 400 meters distance of gun battle from their position.

“ We could surmise they have several fatalities during our attack in the camp and ambush on their reinforcement”, Mama said.

Troops conducting security patrol

He denied they suffer fatalities on their side and just laughed about the three members of BIFF who were killed in last night’s encounter.

Mama said, they had regroup to smaller factions after the recent law enforcement operation conducted by government troops in their camps in Ganta, Datu Piang and Datu Salibo town communities.

“ We are now devided into smaller groups, we are on guerilla fight and will continue with our struggle’, Mama stressed.

Col. Gonzales on the other hand said, “ We are tightening our security measures, but knowing about the BIFF, we believe they dont have enough capability and they are just more on propaganda”, the official said.

Meanwhile, the BIFF denied that the attack is meant to sabotage the coming of signing of Comprehensive Compact Agreement  between the government and MILD which was assured not less that President Aquino that will be timelined this month.

This was  after the finalization of the last parts of framework agreement of which crested on "normalization" deal detailing how the rebels will hand over their weapons and the creation of a security force to police what will be a self-ruled Muslim region.

“ It’s a non-issue for us if they sign whatever, our struggle  continues, nothing to do with that (comprehensive compact agreement)”, Mama said.

END