Include Lumads in peace agreement, says Ifugao congressman

By Aiza Liza P. Namingit

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat has urged the National Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to consider the welfare of indigenous peoples as they flesh out the landmark peace agreement that will pave the way for the formation of the Bangsamoro.

Baguilat, who chairs the National Cultural Communities committee of the House of Representatives, said both sides have to explicitly recognize the Lumads and their rights to their ancestral domain in the areas that will comprise the Bangsamoro.

Baguilat said the indigenous peoples or Lumads in Mindanao have a legitimate and historical claim to their ancestral domain and have existed peacefully with their brother and sister Muslims, thus it is but right that the peace agreement recognize their special place in Bangsamoro.

Bangsamoro will be composed of the ARMM provinces -  Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del sur as well as municipalities, barangays, and cities that had initially expressed interest to join an autonomous region for Mindanao.

Baguilat welcomed the forging of the peace agreement as it is envisioned to finally bring peace in Mindanao with the formation of a new autonomous region, which will be bigger and also more effective than the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

“Congratulations to both panels for their wisdom and perseverance and also to President Aquino for not giving up and steadfastly pursuing the dream for lasting peace in Mindanao,” said Baguilat.

Spearheading the negotiations were Sec.Teresita 'Ging' Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and Atty. Marvic Leonen, the Government’s lead peace negotiator. The MILF side, on the other hand, was led by MohagherIqbal and Al Haj Murad and his central committee.  

The agreement is expected to be formally signed on October 16 in Malacañang by the Government's peace negotiator Atty. MarvicLeonen and MILF leader MohagherIqbal. Witnessing the event is Malaysian Prime Minister Abdul Najim Razak.

Baguilat said that by that date, he hoped that there would be some policy decision to include the rights of the IPs in the peace agreement.