OIC urges members to boost aid for BARMM, lauds Marcos' commitment to peace

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has called on its member countries and affiliated groups to increase the support they are providing to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as it lauded the commitment of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to peace in the region.

Based on a resolution of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers tackling the “Question of Muslims in the Southern Philippines,” the member-states were urged to augment the volume of their medical, humanitarian, economic, social, educational and technical assistance “to develop BARMM with a view to accelerating socio-economic development.”

The Philippine government was likewise asked to facilitate a joint delegation of the general secretariat, member-states, and representatives of the Islamic Development Bank to visit the county and develop a viable mechanism to provide necessary development assistance and financing to BARMM. 

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. welcomed the resolution, saying that it is “both timely and relevant considering the peace, security, and development challenges the BARMM is currently facing” and in light of the first parliamentary elections in the region set on October 13. 

“This resolution is a testament of the OIC’s unwavering support for the Bangsamoro peace process over the years, particularly its desire to help build on and sustain the gains of peace in the region by promoting genuine dialogue and mutual understanding between the Government and the Philippines, leading Moro groups, and other key stakeholders,” Galvez said in a statement on Friday. 

Marcos recognized 

In the same resolution, the OIC acknowledged the “full and unwavering commitments” of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the Bangsamoro peace process and BARMM.

The President’s “strong commitments to push for unity, inclusivity, socioeconomic development and interventions to promote peace and development in BARMM area” was also welcomed. 

Galvez also said that the Marcos administration is “fully determined” to advance the Bangsamoro peace process.

The OIC likewise encouraged the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to sustain their constructive engagement towards the full implementation of the peace process.

Both parties were urged by the organization “to uphold the letter and spirit of all signed peace agreements” and “refrain from any unilateral actions that could undermine the hard-won gains of peace.” —AOL, GMA Integrated News