COTABATO CITY – Clad in a Barong Tagalog, Moro Islamic Liberation Front chair Al-haj Murad Ebrahim formally assumed as interim chief minister of the new entity Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the formal turnover rites here yesterday.
With his right palm over his chest singing the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang,” Ebrahim apparently demonstrated his allegiance to the Philippine flag for the first time.
Ebrahim, who assumed the MILF leadership in 2003, emphasized that MILF is now waging a different level of “jihad” or holy war.
Unlike in their stint as Moro fighters waging wars in the battlefield, Murad said they will be waging jihad against all forms of ills in the government.
In the past, he said, the MILF’s enemy was not the government and its soldiers but oppression. “Our enemy now is manipulation. Our enemy now is graft and corruption. Our enemy now is nepotism,” said Murad in his acceptance speech.
He recalled that the assumption of MILF in the BARMM is exactly 22 years after the formal peace negotiations with the government. The former Moro rebel leader further called on their supporters remain consistent in throwing support to the new Bangsamoro government.
“We succeeded partially, our success will see that good governance will prevail in our system,” he concluded. The 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority will govern the BARMM during the three-year transition period until June 30, 2022.
By then, the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that covers Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi will include Cotabato City and the 63 barangays of North Cotabato.
During their three-year stint, the BTA will craft the administrative code, local government code, and electoral code.
Outgoing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman acknowledged the years sacrifices of the Bangsamoro people, saying: “Ang Bangsamoro ay ang bawat mujahideen; ang mga ama at ina at anak at kapatid ng mga mujahideen; ang mga pinaslang sa Bud Dajo at Palimbang at sa napakarami pang ibang lugar.”
“Ang Bangsamoro ay ang tao, ang lahi, ang kultura, ang puso, ang dugo na idinilig sa lupaing ito. Ang Bangsamoro ay ang lahat na dumaan sa karanasang Moro: Lahat ng inagawan at inapi; lahat ng iniwasan dahil sa kanilang salita o pananamit; lahat ng nagsakripisyo o nagtrabaho nang tahimik,” added Hataman in his moving speech that sent many of the audience into tears.
He said that the Bangsamoro people remains hopeful that they will be able to regain their honor and recognize the Muslims as people with dignity and greatness. “Tayo ang Bangsamoro.” (Keith Bacongco)
