Residents of Wao, Lanao del Sur hold a rally on March 7, 2024, protesting the proposal at the Bangsamoro Parliament to divide their town into two. Photo courtesy of Wao Local Government Unit
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 09 March) – Residents and local officials of Wao in Lanao del Sur on Thursday held a rally protesting the proposal at the Bangsamoro Parliament to divide their towns into two.
Wearing red and green arm bands, Muslim and Christian residents filled the Municipal Hall grounds in the indignation rally dubbed “We are one together, we are indestructible” to express their opposition to Bangsamoro Transition Authority Bill No. 271.
The bill, which is scheduled for second reading and sponsored by Parliament Member Ali Babao, seeks to create the Municipality of Saripada from 11 of 26 villages of Wao.
The proposed new town will be carved out from from Barangays Western (Poblacion), Pilintangan, Kadingilan, Buntongan, Balatin, Panang, Mimbuaya, Park Area, Muslim Village, Buot and East Kili-Kili.
Wao town, a progressive predominantly Christian town, has a population of 50,366, according to the 2020 census.
Mayor Elvino Balicao expressed his disgust over the move from BTA, saying it is illegal because the people were not consulted.
“So what do they think of us here, stuffed-paddies in the rice field that did not need to be consulted?” he asked the BTA proponents.
The mayor was also worried the bill might destroy the good relationship now between the Christian and Moro residents.
He said time has healed the wounds of the conflict between the Ilaga and the Blackshirts in the 1970s that divided the people then.
”What does this mean, we go back to square one? It seems you want to have a gap again between Muslims and Christians now that we are unified and living harmoniously?” he said.
BTA members Rasul Enderez and lawyer Rasol Mitmug attended the rally to show their support to the protesters.
Enderez clarified that BTA Bill 271 is not a parliament-sponsored bill.
Lanao Del Sur Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid “Wujam” Adiong said the position papers of the different groups will be endorsed to and discussed soonest by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
He said the SP would issue a resolution expressing opposition to the bill.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Wao has also agreed to issue a resolution opposing the town’s division.
Among those who attended the rally were members of the Saripada clan.
Rafsani Saripada, chair of Barangay Pilintangan opposed the proposal. “Why do we need to divide when we are okay?” he said.
Zaidi Masid Pagul Saripada, chair of the town’s Sangguniang Kabataan, said he is also against the bill. He shared Balicao’s apprehensions that the proposal would ruin the good relationship among the town’s residents.
He lamented that he and his family have been bashed on social media with comments saying “they should be the one to leave the town.”
“It pains me to read all of these. My appeal is to be courteous in dealing with our conversations and not be overtaken by our emotions. We have to be open to accept this challenge,” he said.
Balicao issued a similar appeal to his constituents to not jump immediately into conclusions, as they could be attacking people who share their sentiment about the proposed division of the town. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)
