WebClick Tracer

ANGAY-ANGAY LANG: Initial comments on the provision on territory in the Framework Agreement between the GPH and the MILF

1st of a series

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/9 Oct) – Congratulations and good luck to the two negotiating panels. Mabuhay kayo!

This is the first of a series of comments I have on the Framework Agreement.

The Framework Agreement says that the core territory of the Bangsamoro shall be composed of:

(a) the present geographical area of the ARMM;

(b) the Municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the province of Lanao del Norte and all other barangays in the Municipalities of Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigkawayan, Pikit, and Midsayap that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite;

(c) the cities of Cotabato and Isabela; and

(d) all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government unit or a petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the qualified voters in the area asking for their inclusion at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the process of delimitation of the Bangsamoro as mentioned in the next paragraph.

ARMM is a given. There is no need to comment on this.

The municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal, according to the terms of the Organic Act which was submitted to the 2001 plebiscite, were supposed to be constituted into a province and appended to ARMM; but this never happened.

Which barangays of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan and Pikit said YES on the August 14, 2001 plebiscite, and how much percent was the YES in each? (See the table below)

Table 1. Barangays in the six municipalities of North Cotabato
that voted YES in the 2001 plebiscite

Municipality/Barangay Yes (%)   ALEOSAN (has 19 barangays)   Dunguan  90.00  L. Mingading 51.90  Tapodoc 77.27     CARMEN (has 28 barangays)   Manarahan 64.60  Nasapian 97.06     KABACAN (has 24 barangays)   Nanga-an 69.46  Simbuhay 57.71  Sanggadong 73.91     MIDSAYAP (has 57 barangays)   Damatulan 59.11  Kadigasan 75.00  Kadingilan 65.22  Kapinpilan 96.80  Kudarangan 84.08  Central labas 98.58  Malingao 94.44  Mudseng 93.02  Nabalawag 77.63  Olandang 85.65  Sambulawan 95.24  Tugal 82.57     PIGKAWAYAN (has 40 barangays)   Lower Baguer 96.99  Balacayon 58.33  Buricain 92.77  Datu Bimasing 62.52  Kadingilan 64.65  Matilac 65.22  Patot 91.89  L. Pangankalan 52.63     PIKIT (has 40 barangays)   Bagoenged 95.99  Balatican 85.94  S. Balong 55.54  S.Balongis 62.05  Batulawan 51.38  Buliok 87.28  Gokoton 78.32  Kabasalan 72.28  Lagunde 56.06  Macabaul 72.84  Macasendeg 82.94
It will be good to know whether these territories are contiguous to ARMM. I have asked a friend to come up with a digital map.

I will not worry about those local political units that may seek to be included later in the Bangsamoro. Consent of the governed is at the core of democratic life in the Philippines.

[A peace specialist, Rudy Buhay Rodil is an active Mindanao historian and peace advocate. In 1988 he was a commissioner of the Regional Consultative Commission in Muslim Mindanao which helped Congress draft the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. As an acknowledged expert on the history of the Moro conflict, he was twice member of the GRP peace negotiating panel: in the talks with the Moro National Liberation Front, 1993-96, and also vice chair of the GRP Panel in the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Dec 2004 to 3 Sep 08. He was Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University in Oct-Dec 2011. Having started his studies on Mindanao, especially on the Moro and Lumad affairs, in the summer of 1973, he has so far written four books, several monographs and 123 articles. As educator, he has taught in Sulu, Cotabato, Davao, Manila and Iligan. Now retired, he was professor of history in the last twenty-four years in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Jun 1983 to Oct 2007. As peace advocate, he has so far participated as resource person in more than 685 forums, seminars and conferences related to the creation of a culture of peace in Mindanao.]

Your perspective matters! Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage respectful discussions. Don't hesitate to share your ideas or engage with others.

Search MindaNews

Share this MindaNews story
[custom_social_share]
Send us Feedback