BANGSAMORO NEWS UPDATES

COTABATO CITY --- Reforming Islamic State-inspired militants in Basilan wants a national amnesty program to complement a domestic reconciliation campaign fostering sustainable peace in the island province.The appeal is from more than a hundred Sayyaf members in Basilan who surrendered in batches in the past 24 months through the intercession of provincial officials and the inter-agency regional peace and order council in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.The former Islamic State-inspired militants were among thousands of residents who benefited from the March 5 to 15 People’s Day med

MAGUINDANAO --- Five Islamic State-inspired militants were reportedly killed while six others were injured as attack helicopters fired rockets on their lair in S.K. Pendatun town Tuesday.Local officials on Wednesday confirmed the fatalities in the airstrike, meant to flush out from S.K. Pendatun town in the second district of Maguindanao some 30 militants loyal to Abu Toraife, leader of one of three factions in the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom.All three BIFF factions are displaying the Islamic State flag in their camps.Sources from the local government unit of S.K.

MAGUINDANAO --- Stakeholders launched Monday the construction of a P100 million worth Maguindanao government center, a springboard for activities meant to help the province bounce back from conflicts and calamities.
The project is a joint venture of the office of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and the executive department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The facility, to rise on a strategic spot in Buluan, the capital town of Maguindanao, shall also have a sports center for Maguindanao’s Muslim Christian and Lumad communities.

COTABATO CITY – Officials and employees of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM) different line agencies and offices participated in a parade here on Monday, March 12, to formally start the celebration of this year’s Bangsamoro Week of Peace.‘Hope and Solidarity in Struggle’, the celebration’s theme, recognizes the Bangsamoro’s ongoing struggle for self-determination, which is driven by shared aspirations and strengthened by the diversity of its people.As part of the celebration, the ARMM has prepared several activities in the different areas of ARMM that aims at raising awarene

MAGUINDANAO --- More than 50 leaders of non-Muslim upland tribes voluntarily joined Thursday’s consultation on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law in the province, something organizers did not expect.A popular timuay (chieftain) in Maguindanao’s non-Moro Teduray tribe, Mayor Ramon Piang of North Upi, told reporters Saturday that they appeared at the congressional multi-sectoral dialogue on the draft BBL to show that they are in favor of the bill.

COTABATO CITY – The Senate committees on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws and Electoral Reforms and Peoples’ Participation conducted a joint regional consultation hearing with representatives and participants from various sectors, regarding proposals to amend or revise the 1987 Philippine Constitution on Thursday, March 8.Sen.

DATU SAUDI
AMPATUAN, Maguindanao – Government forces launched early today air and
ground assaults against IS inspired Moro rebel group in Maguindanao sighted
massing in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

The day-long
bombardment also sent hundreds of families fleeing from the villages of Kitango
and Lower Salbu.

LANAO DEL SUR --- The Japanese government is conducting a survey on damages to road networks in Marawi City due to last year’s conflict instigated by combined Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists.The May 23 to October 16, 2017 siege of Marawi City by the two Islamic State-inspired groups displaced thousands, resulted in the deaths of hundreds, among them state security men, and left historic, centuries-old Maranao enclaves in ruins.Salma Jayne Tamano, information officer of the Lanao del Sur provincial government, said Thursday the study being initiated by the Japan International Cooperation Age

DAVAO CITY -- A Maguindanao town mayor who remained
at large since 2016 after he was named by President Duterte as among the
country’s narco-politicians has been suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman
for one year.

In a press statement posted on its website, the
Ombudsman ordered the one-year suspension of Mayor Montasir Sabal of Talitay,
Maguindanao for his alleged non-declaration of possessions and business interests
in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and failure to
perform official duties.

LANAO DEL SUR – Four hundred elderly conflict-stricken Maranaos in Marawi City received mattresses from a private firm distributed Tuesday via the Lanao del Sur provincial government.The mattresses were donated by the Philippine foam manufacturing firm Uratex on the behest of Lanao del Sur Gov.