The Bangsamoro government chief minister and provincial governors turned down the Mindanao independence proposed by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In an official statement posted on February 2, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim expressed his commitment to the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB), a peace agreement signed between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March 2014.
"Underlying the CAB is the recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and the aspiration to chart our political future through a democratic process that will secure our identity and posterity and allow for meaningful self-governance," he said, adding that CAB's components "are ultimately beneficial" to his constituents.
He said they acknowledge and remain thankful to past and present national presidents for their "significant contribution" to Bangsamoro's peaceful settlement.
The Bangsamoro chief urged fellow Filipinos to help them protect the peace processes in the entire region and continue to support Marcos's administration.
Photo courtesy: Bangsamoro government via RH Jun Dimacutac
In a separate statement, Bangsamoro governors also affirmed support for the CAB's implementation, which they said yields "substantial and profound outcomes of peace that resonate" in all Bangsamoro provinces.
"Bolstered by these accomplishments, we emphatically pledge our unwavering support to the ongoing implementation process of the peace agreement in our provinces. Our deepest gratitude extends to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his unyielding dedication to realizing lasting peace and prosperity in the Bangsamoro Region," they said.
The official statement was penned by Tawi-tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, Basilan Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., and Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraofa Macacua.
Photo courtesy: Bangsamoro government via RH Jun Dimacutac
Speaking to reporters in a press conference last week, Dutere pronounced that he wanted to secede Mindanao from the Philippines through a process of gathering signatures.
"Mag-independent tayo. Ako gusto ko talaga. Gusto ko na. Nagsawa na ako. Iilang presidente na kasi, walang nangyari sa Pilipinas," he remarked.
"There's a process in that, I think, before the [United Nations] where you would gather signatures from all sorts in Mindanao, magpirma, verified under oath in the presence of so many people [to] decide that we want a separate," the former president added.
