BARMM governors advance efforts for lasting peace, strong rule of law

Governor

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –

The five (5) Governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao affirm their commitment to further strengthen their joint efforts in promoting rule of law, peace & order, and inclusive governance and development in the BARMM.

This is according to the BARMM Governors Caucus or BGC, officially launched in this city on June 6, 2023, as a platform to promote the common issues of the constituents of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the BARMM as well as to engage other stakeholders in dialogue on these issues.

The BGC, created after a series of consultative talks, is composed of the Provincial Governors of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. “The BGC is fully supportive of the peace process and the BARMM and thru the BGC, the Governors will foster cooperation with national and regional governments and multi-sectoral groups, employing data driven decisionmaking to promote the rights and welfare of our constituents,”

Lanao

Adiong, Jr, acting as the spokesperson for the group said. Governor Adiong also disclosed the three key areas that the Caucus has identified as priorities: Rule of Law, Peace and Order, and Inclusive Governance and Development.

Governor Adiong underscored the significance of structuring and maintaining orderly peace and development in the region.

“It is a shared responsibility among the national and regional governments, local government units (LGUs), and law enforcement agencies. To improve coordination in law enforcement and address security challenges, the BGC will actively engage with law enforcement agencies, the peace mechanisms and other relevant agencies,”

Governor Adiong emphasized.

Additionally, the BGC is monitoring and supporting the swift completion of the decommissioning process and has expressed its readiness to work with national and regional agencies, decommissioning bodies, and peace mechanisms to this end.

Governor Adiong Jr. further stressed the BGC’s commitment to enhancing coordination between national and regional governments, peace mechanisms, and relevant agencies. “Our objective is to ensure effective law enforcement and to expedite the decommissioning process. The BGC will also advocate for the equitable allocation of public funds and for greater representation, and participation of citizens in governance across diverse geographical, political, and ethnic groups in the region,” he said. They aim to facilitate citizen and group involvement in development and governance processes thru electoral policies that promote inclusivity. The BGC also called for the convening of the Council of Leaders in the BARMM to enhance LGU and sectoral group representation in regional governance.

“We are open to collaborating with stakeholders who share similar advocacies and are eager to explore common grounds with others to attain sustainable peace and development in the region,” he said. (Philstar.com)

Marcos made the statement, as he acknowledged China as the Philippines’ “top partner” in terms of total trade, ranking first as imports source and second as exports destination.

He also noted that China and its special administrative regions serve as “second home to a substantial number of overseas Filipinos.”

“So, we will exert utmost efforts to strengthen this relationship. We will strive to make it more comprehensive, more strategic, all with the view to advancing the paramount interest of both our nations and our peoples,” Marcos said.

‘Continuing’ communication u PAGE 7

Marcos denied that the Philippines has shifted away its policy away from China, saying that his administration continues to foster the friendship, the relationship and the partnership with Beijing.

“Some people have said that the Philippines has shifted its policy away from the People’s Republic [of China] and to other powers. That is certainly not true. We have not shifted away from China in any way whatsoever,” he said.

He noted that the Philippine government has a “continuing” communication with the Chinese government following his state visit to China in January this year upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.