#barmm

Over the weekend, I found myself at the southernmost edge of the Philippines—Sitangkai, a remote municipality in Tawi-Tawi that lies closer to Malaysia than to Zamboanga or even Sulu's Jolo. Often dubbed the "Venice of the South", Sitangkai earns this moniker from its intricate network of waterways, where boats—not wheels—serve as the primary mode of transportation. But beyond this passing resemblance to the famed Italian city, Sitangkai holds a quiet charm that is entirely its own.

Sitangkai’s waterways converge at the so-called 'Boulevard'—a broad canal that stretches from the village’s main entry point, marked by a distinct welcome arch, all the way to the Municipal Hall at its farthest reach.

Set among islands and shoals that once sat at the heart of ancient maritime trade routes, Sitangkai has long been home to the Sama-Bajaus—our seafaring brothers and sisters who have thrived for generations through fishing and cross-island trade. Life here moves to the rhythm of the tides, and the culture is rich with traditions shaped by the surrounding Sulu and Celebes seas.

At certain times of the day, traders line the edges of the Boulevard, their wooden boats brimming with goods—from fresh vegetables and fruits to the day’s catch of fish. Buyers gather as well, negotiating prices and making their own offers in a lively exchange. I was there at around 5 p.m., and the place was still buzzing with activity.

Today, Sitangkai’s strategic location continues to make it a vital trading port, serving as a gateway for goods moving between the Philippines and neighboring Malaysia. In its floating markets, currencies are flexible—and stories, traded just as easily as goods, flow freely from locals, traders, and visitors alike. Here, borders blur and cultures converge.

Just behind the Municipal Hall sits the local high school. A graduation ceremony was underway when I visited. I saw graduates and their parents dressed in some of the most beautiful attire I’ve ever seen at such an event—vibrant, elegant, and deeply expressive of pride. Their joy was unmistakable, and rightfully earned.

Indeed, Sitangkai stands as a quiet yet enduring reminder of the Philippines’ maritime roots—and of our deep, living ties with our Southeast Asian neighbors, carried not by wheels, but by the open waters that have long connected our histories, economies, and lives.

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 10 December) – The Bangsamoro Parliament unanimously approved the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Act (BIPA) of 2024 on its third and final reading during a special session on Tuesday, according to a press release from the regional legislative body’s Publication and Media Relations Division.

The law, which was passed with 63 votes in favor, zero against, and no abstentions, “has been recognized as a historic success in the region’s ongoing peace process and commitment to inclusive governance.”

BIPA recognizes the IP’s ownership over their ancestral domains, referred to as fusaka ingëd, and natural resources in these territories.

The press release quoted Ramon Piang, chair of the committee on Indigenous Peoples affairs as saying that the BIPA is an enhanced version of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, “specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the Bangsamoro’s indigenous population.”

Indigenous Peoples in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) include the non-Moro IPs (Téduray, Lambangian, Dulangan Manobo, Erumanun Ne Menuvu, Higaonon, B’laan), and the Badjao, Sama Dilaut, Jama Mapun, Sama Bangingi, and Sama Pangutaran in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

From the government of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao:

JUNE 9, 2025 — The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs (MIPA) spearheaded today, June 9, the Grand Kanduli Ceremonial Signing of the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Act—Implementing Rules and Regulations (BIPA-IRR) in Cotabato City.

The BIPA-IRR features the rules of conduct within the IP communities in terms of basic services and security, among others. It also presents the implementation of the IPs' customary laws, traditions, and practices in resolving claims and disputes among them.

Islamic jurists in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) … issuing a fatwa (religious edict), which declares that forcing a rape victim to marry her abuser without her consent is “haram” or forbidden.

“The fatwa affirms the fundamental rights of women and girls and emphasizes that sexual violence must be met with justice: victim-survivors should not be trapped in a cycle of violence and perpetrators should not evade persecution,” it said in a statement.

“It also sets a powerful precedent for upholding dignity and respect, paving the way for a future free from violence and oppression,” it added.

The Islamic jurists who issued the fatwa belong to the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’, the highest religious advisory body in the BARMM that issues fatwas, or religious edicts, to guide the interpretation and application of Islamic teachings in various contexts.

[…] Sheik Abdulrauf Guialani, the Bangsamoro Grand Mufti (top Islamic jurist), noted that the BDI made the ruling last month following a meticulous review of the issue.