Audhubillahi minashaaytaanirrajeem. Bismillahirrahmanirraheem. Alhamdulillah, wa bihi nastaeen wa alayhi natawakkal. Ash-hadu al-la ilaha ila-llah wahdahu la sharikalah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh. Amma ba’d, Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi taal wa barakatuhu, and a very good morning to everyone!
The path towards peace and development in the Bangsamoro has been long and winding. After decades of struggle, the fight for justice and self-determination has culminated in to the founding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In January 21, we will celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the Bangsamoro Foundation.
As we look back on the events that lead to the historic moment, it’s hard not to feel a rush of emotions, for so long the region has been hounded by conflict and instability caused by the many complex and deep-rooted issues, and histories of its people. From revolutionary movements and taking up arms, to claiming our seats at the negotiating tables.
Our relentless struggle has put us in a position in which we are now able to lead and represent the people of the Bangsamoro, and may we continue to embody the unwavering spirit of our mujahideen that paved away for the establishment of our own government. Despite all these wins and milestones, the founding of BARMM is only the beginning of an even longer and more arduous process of establishing and sustaining the gains of the peace process.
We continue to promote peace in the region by forging a culture and society that rejects all forms of violence and conflict. It is everyone’s responsibility to work for genuine and long lasting peace and to meaningfully engage with the peace process. In this coming together, we will be able to create a future for our youth and for the generations to come wherein peace and development are attained, and the Bangsamoro people are united. In this three years, we can observe that the Bangsamoro has experienced tremendous growth and progress in the lives of its people.
The Bangsamoro Government continues to improve its services and to address the issues faced by our constituents with leadership founded on Moral Governance. Through this kind of governance, we are able to build and strengthen communities that trust and have confidence in their leaders. Let us all continue being partners in peace building and in supporting the strides that the BARMM has made.
This peace process will not triumph and bear fruit without our brothers and sisters across the Bangsamoro who believe in our efforts and assert our own leadership. We stand hand in hand as we come together to build a sustained lasting peace and progress in the Bangsamoro. Happy Bangsamoro Foundation Day to us all, and Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi taala wa barakatuhu.
