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.