Bangsamoro

Understand

The region has a distinctive Muslim majority and a colorful culture different from the rest of the Philippines; however, it is also the least developed region of the country, despite being given more autonomy. Muslims, Christians and indigenous peoples lived peacefully, but deep-running resentment by Islamist militants have resulted to the ongoing conflict that affected Mindanao as well. Skirmishes continued to occur on many areas of the region, and terrorist attacks have spilled over into the nearby regions, especially Soccsksargen. The original Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao was formed in response to hostilities led by the Islamic nationalist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which flourished during the 1970s. The provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi joined the new region, which was inaugurated in 1990. The capital is proposed to be in Parang, but no government buildings have been built, and Cotabato City is made the de facto capital instead. Another plebiscite expanded the region to include Marawi and Basilan (except Isabela city). A fierce armed conflict between Muslim militias and the Philippine government went on in this region from the 1970s well into the new century. In 2009 this region, then the ARMM, was declared the world's most hazardous area for journalists by the Committee to Protect Journalists, with 18 reporters dead in a massacre that claimed the lives of almost 60 people. In 2012 a peace accord was signed between the government and the most important militia group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF, and things have certainly been calmer since then. However, there are other militia groups that have not signed on to the peace deal; they are mostly quite small but also well-armed and quite radical, so they pose a significant threat. In May 2017, martial law was imposed on all of Mindanao; people had been killed and buildings set ablaze by factions supporting Da'esh (ISIS) in Marawi. The martial law period ha

Getting there

By plane Most visitors will enter via the regional capital at Cotabato City. There is only one major airport, Cotabato Airport CBO IATA}, which serves Cotabato City but is at the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao. PAL Express has flights from Manila and Cebu, while Bangsamoro Airways has flights from Zamboanga City. The island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-tawi have airports at Jolo (JOL IATA) and Bongao (TWT IATA), respectively; the other islands having smaller airports more catered to small aircraft. As most visitors to Bangsamoro are humanitarian workers serving people affected by the insurgency, you may be asked by airport staff if you work for any non-governmental organization if you come by plane.

By bus The region is less served by buses; Mindanao Star provides bus service from Davao City to Cotabato City, Rural Transit has buses from Cagayan de Oro and Pagadian to Cotabato City, and Husky Tours has buses from General Santos.

By car The BARMM is served by the Pan-Philippine Highway (Route 1 or AH26), but is unnumbered except for a short segment in Cotabato City. Other highways are Davao-Cotabato Road (Route 76) from Digos and Kidapawan, and Tacurong-Midsayap Road (Route 940) from Tacurong, which bypasses the Pan-Philippine Highway to the east. All highways become unnumbered as they enter the BARMM, and there are military and police checkpoints at entry points.

Getting around

Roads in the region are poorly maintained; there are more motorcycles and tricycles than cars. Boats are the only way to get around the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. There are few to no jeepneys; buses, UV Express (van shuttles) or habal-habal are the only practical way to get between towns.

By plane Bangsamoro Airways has flights from its Cotabato City base to the Sulu Islands, using turboprop planes. PAL Express also has a flight to Tawi-Tawi using turboprops.