COTABATO CITY – A bill filed in the Bangsamoro Parliament seeks to provide Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) with a safe haven during armed hostilities by declaring Sitio Mekir in Barangay Lamud, South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur, as a peace sanctuary and safe evacuation center.
Parliament Bill No. 404, filed by Member of the Parliament Froilyn Mendoza, seeks to protect vulnerable communities, ensuring that women, children, and the elderly have access to humanitarian assistance, temporary shelter, and medical support during times of violence.
If enacted, the sanctuary would be recognized as a neutral and demilitarized zone, free from armed operations, providing displaced Indigenous populations with a safe space to seek shelter, spiritual support, and relief services.
The bill will also institutionalize Indigenous peacekeeping systems rooted in local customs and traditions.
The bill calls for coordinated efforts among the Office of the Chief Minister, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ministry of Public Order and Safety, Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Social Services and Development, and local government units.
These agencies, along with national bodies, civil society organizations, and traditional Indigenous structures (locally known as Këmamal Keadatan), will oversee the management and protection of the sanctuary. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
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