Bangsamoro youth leaders discuss peace, security and development

Cotabato City (August 15, 2018) – Over 200 Bangsamoro youth leaders converge in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government’s seat here on Tuesday, August 14, for a conference on peace, security, and development in the light of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the movement on federalism.

During the event, Nizam Pabil, executive director of the Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA), emphasized the importance of the youth’s voice in addressing current social issues. With recent major developments such as the Marawi siege, Pabil said the youth’s participation has become instrumental in solving conflicts.

He also noted that the role of religious leaders is pivotal in preventing violent extremism underscoring “religion was used in justifying the problem to some extent, so it is also important to note that religious leaders can also help in addressing the problem.”

Aside from discussing about the youth’s role in countering violent extremism, speakers such as Chairperson Mohagher Iqbal of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) implementing panel, Atty. Randolph Parcasio of the charter change consultative committee, and Dr. Susana Anayatin of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission talked about the newly signed BOL and federalism.

The Bangsamoro youth affairs director said the conference was organized not only to talk about violent extremism but also major issues. “We think that the youth has a different perspective on these issues that’s why we provided them a space to discuss and create a network,” said Pabil.

“Young ulama and professionals gather for this two-day event to talk about pressing issues. Not only countering violent extremism, pero yung mga kalakip naissues like BOL, and the talks on federalism,” he added. With the participants coming from Bangsamoro provinces, Pabil said the event is expected to have a sustainable effect on the region's youth sector.

“Yung output ng assembly, yung mga participants magkaron ng network dahil nagmumula sila sa different provinces. So among themselves, may mga activities and workshops para makapag-create ng action plan after the assembly,” Pabil explained.

During the event, ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman encouraged the participants to create a political party to act as the voice of the youth sector in the upcoming Bangsamoro parliament.

“Kung tama ang bilang na marami sa populasyon ng ating rehiyon ay nagmula sa kabataan, tama lang na dapat sa darating na panahon ay magbubuo ng isang malakas na partido ang kabataan upang mag-transform ang ating politika mula sa dinastiya patungo sa isang partido na kung saan mas marami ang kanilang populasyon,” Gov. Hataman said.

“Kaya sa araw na ito, dapat ang ating isipan ay magsisimula na ang ating transisyon, hindi lang from one structure ng ARMM patungo sa bagong structure ngBangsamoro autonomous region kung hindi maging ang ating active participation. Ang failure ng BOL, ay failure nating lahat. Ang success ng Bangsamoro ay success nating lahat,” Gov. Hataman added.

The event was co-organized by the Office of Regional Governor, Department of the Interior and Local Government-ARMM, Regional Darul  Ifta’, OBYA, and ARMM Development Academy. (by JONG CADION with Bureau of Public Information PR)

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