Filipino Muslims hold a peace rally Wednesday, March 18, 2009 in Cotabato City in Maguindanao. They appeal to Manila to honor the Muslim ancestral domain deal that government and Moro rebel peace negotiators initially signed in August last year. The rally coincided with the Muslim commemoration of the Bangsamoro Day. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales).MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 18, 2009) – Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao has declared Wednesday a special non-working holiday in commemoration of the B Bangsamoro Day.
March 18, which is also the founding anniversary of the Moro National Liberation Front, was declared “Bangsamoro Day” by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act (MMAA) No.67 passed by the 3rd Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) in 1998.
“I call upon all of you to lend us your unbending support and let us work together for the realization of the aspirations of our Moro brothers in the MNLF for peace, justice and development,” Ampatuan said.
Ampatuan also expressed his gratitude to President Gloria Arroyo for her support and recognition of the relevance of the active participation of the autonomous Muslim government in the peace process in Mindanao.
“Giving us active participation in the peace process reaffirms her strong commitment for the attainment of sustainable peace in Mindanao,” Ampatuan said.
Ampatuan led a team from the Muslim autonomous region that participated in the five Joint Working Groups of the Organization of Islamic Conference, the MNLF and the Philippine government in Manila recently.
Ampatuan is credited for bringing reforms and development in the Muslim autonomous region which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.
March 18, which is also the founding anniversary of the Moro National Liberation Front, was declared “Bangsamoro Day” by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act (MMAA) No.67 passed by the 3rd Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) in 1998.
“I call upon all of you to lend us your unbending support and let us work together for the realization of the aspirations of our Moro brothers in the MNLF for peace, justice and development,” Ampatuan said.
Ampatuan also expressed his gratitude to President Gloria Arroyo for her support and recognition of the relevance of the active participation of the autonomous Muslim government in the peace process in Mindanao.
“Giving us active participation in the peace process reaffirms her strong commitment for the attainment of sustainable peace in Mindanao,” Ampatuan said.
Ampatuan led a team from the Muslim autonomous region that participated in the five Joint Working Groups of the Organization of Islamic Conference, the MNLF and the Philippine government in Manila recently.
Ampatuan is credited for bringing reforms and development in the Muslim autonomous region which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.
Muslims also held a peace rally in Cotabato City in Maguindanao and urged Manila to honor the Muslim ancestral domain deal that government and Moro rebels initially signed in August last year. The deal would have granted homeland to more than four million Muslims across 700 villages in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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