In photo- (Left) Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, and (Right) UPI Mayor Ramon Piang, Sr. exchanging gifts at the highlight of the forum or locally known as Sawit Ceremony .

C-DORM, FBCSO hold Forum on Indigenous Rights at Upi, Maguindanao

• Sep 12, 2017
• Junn bin Abdullah, Luwaran
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The Confederated Descendants of Rajah Mamalu Inc. (C - DORM ) and the Federation of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organization , Inc. (FBCSO ) in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Upi and Center for Human Dialogue (CHD )-European Union conducted a Forum on Indigenous Peoples Rights / Concerns in the Context of the New Bangsamoro Basic Law ( BBL ) at Municipal Gymnasium , Upi , Maguindanao.

The activity was attended by IP Commissioners Melanio Ulama and Romeo Saliga of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, Dir. Fatima Kanakan of OSCC - ARMM, Engr. Sukarno Datukan of UMCA, IP - MORO Tribal Leaders , barangay officials , CSO's , academe , students ,and other stakeholders.    

The highlight of the activity was the Re - affirmation of the Kinship and the " SAWIT CEREMONY " which is the exchange of gifts between the Descendants of Rajah Mamalu represented by Mayor Ramon A. Piang Sr. of Upi, Maguindanao, and Rajah Tabunaway represented by Chairman Mohagher Iqbal of MILF Peace Implementing Panel as a tradition practiced by brothers Rajah Mamalu and Rajah Tabunaway and their descendants as they believed that IP 's and Moros shared common ancestors.

FBCSO President Abdullah P. Salik Jr. , former Vice Mayor of Upi , and Co - organizer of the forum said ,  “That the issue on BBL is not about religion or cultural differences but it is about political assertion of both IP's and MORO Rights that caused the divides which the said activity aims to address considering they shared common ancestors and both victims of historical injustices. "    

Chairman Iqbal shared Updates on the Current GPH - MILF Peace Process and Salient Features of the New Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) specifically on IP's Rights with emphasis that there are certain provisions on BBL re IP rights which are not provided for under IPRA LAW particularly on sharing revenues.

Mayor Piang Sr, whose town hosted the activity welcome the guests and the more than 300 participants and reiterated his unconditional support to the Bangsamoro Peace Process and for the immediate passage of the BBL.

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