(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, February 22, swore in 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority led by its interim chief minister Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Hajj Murad who will now ensure the peaceful transition of the regions which approved the Bangsamoro Organic Law into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The President also received the resolution containing the results of the plebiscite on Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace.
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson Sheriff Abas led the presentation of the plebiscite results.
“Today I am elated to accept the certification from the Comelec declaring the ratification of the Organic Act for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the expansion of its territory to include Cotabato City and 63 barangays from the province of North Cotabato,” Duterte said.
During his speech, he also announced the appointment of MILF chair Murad as the “interim chief minister” of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
Duterte: BARMM, a realization of dream to end armed struggle in Mindanao-
Duterte said that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is “not just a fulfilment of a campaign promise,” but “will be the realization of our collective desire, the realization of all our dreams to end the long decades of armed struggle that hindered the growth in the region which I also consider my home.”
“Your courage and determination will never be put to waste,” the President said.
“I guarantee that you and this administration will use all the resources within its disposal to ensure better governance and inclusive political empowerment in this new Bangsamoro region,” he stressed.
Duterte said that successful ratification of the BOL will enable the government to create an environment that will be :conducive to the peaceful coexistence” of Moslems, Christians, Lumads and all other indigenous tribes and settlers who consider Mindanao as their home.
The President then called all those involved in the BARMM “never to waver” in the fulfillment of their dream to have a peaceful and developed Mindanao region.
-Trust in the transition period-
“I trust that you will oversee the transition period to the best of your abilities especially in the decommissioning of firearms and former combatants,” Duterte said.
“The road to peace may be long and rough but I am glad that we have finally reached its endpoint. My only hope is that we put to rest the bitter memories of the past so that we can build a new region that is bound not by ethnic or religious affiliation but a common aspiration for peaceful coexistence among fellow Filipinos,” he added.