MANILA, Philippines—Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to divide the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao into two autonomous territories, saying this was the key to solving the decades-old conflict in the South.
Arroyo, along with her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo, has filed House Bill 173 creating two Muslim Mindanao autonomous regions.
In her explanatory note, the former President said that the political subdivision was needed to address “geographical constraints that pose an immense challenge in governing the ARMM.”
The ARMM is composed of the provinces of Southwestern Mindanao—Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi—and the Central Mindanao provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and Marawi City.
Arroyo said the Central Mindanao provinces are landlocked by areas inhabited by “other indigenous and ethnic groups,” referring to the lumad.
She is thus proposing the creation of two autonomous Muslim regions—the Autonomous Region in Southwestern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Central Mindanao.
She said the bill takes into consideration the issue of contiguity as an integral part of governance in the ARMM.
HB 173 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 6734, or An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as amended by RA 9054, the Organic Act for the ARMM.
