Moros’ struggle for self-governance remains rooted in martial law atrocities

BY AARON ERNEST CRUZ
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – On Sept. 26, the Moro community of Baseco, Manila commemorated the Palimbang massacre that left thousands of Muslim Filipinos dead during the dark days of Martial Law. 

Two years after the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. placed the country under Martial Law, on Sept. 24, 1974, the Philippine military and paramilitary forces brutally murdered around 1,500 male Muslims aged 11 to 70, while around 3,000 women and children were detained, with many of the women raped. Accounts claim that the men, who were detained inside the Mosque, were made to strip and dig their own graves and then shot at close range. This while the Muslim Filipinos were observing the Ramadan fast. Around 300 houses were also burned to the ground.

During this time, many Filipino Muslims were forced to relocate to Manila, particularly in Baseco. Today, it is home to most of the Metro’s Bangsamoro migrants. However, the Moro-Christian Peoples’ Alliance notes that some residents have become disconnected from the region’s struggles and the long-standing fight for self-determination.

Former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander, Zacaria Abubakar, recalled that the massacre against the Moro community has become the root cause of the Moro people’s armed resistance – to defend and protect their community from the abusive state forces. 

Faizah Zai of Women’s Baseco shared painful experiences of women. “Women were abused, and mothers carrying their children were locked up in large naval vessels for hours in unbearable heat. Many children died. Some mothers even resorted to spitting into their children’s mouths just to relieve their thirst,” Zai said in Filipino. 

Maya Padilla of the University of the Philippines Muslim Students’ Association, emphasized the importance of remembering the historical injustices faced by the Moro people and called on the youth to continue the struggle for justice.

“This is an inspiration to our youth because we haven’t truly achieved justice as Moros. The proposed laws that we have been pushing are still not enacted,” Padilla said. 

She added, “The national government seems intent on sabotaging the BARMM elections and halting transitional justice. Many Martial Law victims have yet to receive reparations. This is why, the suffering in BARMM and Mindanao remains a legacy of Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship.” 

The victims of human rights violations during the regime of Marcos Sr. are entitled to a reparation under the Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, which recognizes the victims and mandates the provision for reparation of the victims. 

Abubakar meanwhile said that people should not forget what happened in the past. “Just keep fighting because you are what we fought for, young people,” said Abubakar. 

The forum also served not only to refresh the struggles of the Bangsamoro but also how the postponement of BARMM parliamentary elections may affect their on-going efforts for the right of governance and peace process.   

Oct. 1, the Supreme Court has declared the Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts (BAA) 58 and 77 as unconstitutional, effectively postponing the first parliamentary elections in the BARMM which is set for Oct. 13. BA 77 is known as redistricting law. It indicates that the supposed seven seats dedicated to Sulu were redistributed to other regions. Sulu exited on BARMM due to the rejection of ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The SC ordered the Commission on Elections to proceed with preparations and the conduct of elections not later than March 31, 2026. (AMU)   

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