DAVAO CITY (March 31) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, March 29, urged the Moros to take advantage of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to ‘correct’ the historical injustices in the region.
During the inauguration of BARMM, President Duterte said that the new autonomous entity would address the injustices of the past and plot the course towards a more promising future for Mindanao and the rest of the country.
“Our victory in this plebiscite is proof of our determination to bring about genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao through a responsive government that truly reflects the identity of its people,” he said.
The Chief Executive added that the momentous event would bring the country a step closer to the realization of the decades-old dream of a peaceful region under the new Bangsamoro government that serves Muslims, Christians, Lumads, other indigenous peoples, and all Filipinos who also call Mindanao their home.
“We entrust this responsibility to the distinguished members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority under the able leadership and through the vision of Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim,” he said.
The President expressed his optimism that the new Bangsamoro regional government would not only live up to the aspirations and principles embodied in past peace agreements with different Moro fronts, but also promote good governance, transparency, accountability, and inclusive political empowerment.
President Duterte also told the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that “the power to chart the region is now in your hands” and that he “trusts that you will wield the power with utmost care.”
“As we enter the transition period, I ask everyone to work towards building lasting peace and inclusive progress that will benefit all Mindanaoans and the entire country as well,” he said.
The President also thanked the stakeholders who courageously played their respective roles in the success of the plebiscite. PND
