MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / June 1, 2014) – A Philippine tribal leader has urged his fellow tribesmen to return to their ancestral land in Mount Firis in Maguindanao province who fled more than four decades ago following the outbreak of Muslim rebellion in the southern region.
Timuay Melanio Ulama, now a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, said it is time for the tribesmen to return to their own domain because there is now peace in Mindanao after the signing of a political deal between the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels.
The Comprehensive Agreement of Bangsamoro signed by peace negotiators in March will pave the way for the creation of a new autonomous region which will be home to Muslim, Christian and the indigenous tribes in Mindanao. The new region will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao comprised of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, including the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.
In a recent ceremony held in the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Ulama, who also heads the Organization of Teduray and Lambangian Conference, said the peace agreement would bring fresh hope not only to his tribe, but to Muslims and Christians, to live in unity and peace and work together for the development of the Bangsamoro region and its people.
Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF vice chairman and chief peace negotiator, said under the new Bangsamoro law, all sectors of the society will be represented because it promotes representation of women, indigenous peoples, settlers and the youth “as these will have their respective seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament.”
The Teduray tribe covered more than 10,000 hectares in Mount Firis, but the rebellion forced them to flee from their ancestral domain.
Iqbal, who is also the chairman of the 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission, ensured the inclusion of concerns of the indigenous people in the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law they submitted to President Benigno Aquino for his signature in April.
He said among these concerns were the right of the tribesmen for native titles and respect to indigenous customs and traditions, justice system, and political structures; right to an equitable share in the revenues from utilization of resources in their ancestral land; right to free and prior and informed consent; right to political participation including at least two reserved seats for the indigenous people in the parliament; right to basic services; and right to freedom of choice to self-identity.
Aquino is yet to sign the draft before it goes to Congress for ratification before the government can hold a plebiscite in Muslim areas for residents to decide whether to join the new autonomous government. (With a report from Mark Navales)
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