EP 13: How is BARMM treating Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples?

The Philippine Congress has yet to decide whether to extend the transition government in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao or BARMM.

It’s such a sensitive issue because it would mean postponing the new region’s first-ever elections scheduled in may next year. 

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front — which heads the Bangsamoro Transition Authority or BTA wants to move the elections to 2025 to give it more time to finish the work as promised or committed in its peace agreement with the government.

Others say elections should proceed precisely to give the MILF a fresh mandate from the people and not just enjoy the benefits of presidential appointment.

Last year, Interim Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim himself acknowledged the possibility of election defeat saying the group didn’t have much to show yet given the limited transition period.

This is just one problem, though.

In this episode, Christian Esguerra looks deep into the complicated challenges confronting the new Bangsamoro region particularly the plight of Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples.

Where do they fit in this political entity? Are they victims of false promises made during the peace talks?

Remember that a number of them have been harassed and killed over issues of ancestral domain and land-grabbing.

Timuay Justice and Governance Supreme Tribal Chief Leticio Datuwata and BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo join the discussion.