Amid ongoing discussions on the territorial makeup of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has renewed its call for the reintegration of Sulu into the autonomous region.
Legal and Historical Grounds
MNLF Chair and BARMM Labor Minister Muslimin Sema reaffirmed that Sulu is an integral part of the Bangsamoro homeland—not only by legal precedent but also by its long-standing historical and cultural connection to the Moro struggle for self-determination. While Sulu voted against inclusion in the 2019 Bangsamoro plebiscite and was later excluded through a Supreme Court decision in 2024, the MNLF believes the exclusion does not reflect the full will or best interest of the people.
According to the MNLF, Sulu played a central role in the Moro liberation movement and has long been part of the envisioned Bangsamoro territory. They argue that its exclusion undermines the completeness of the regional identity and the unity of the Moro people.
Appeal to National Lawmakers
In a recent public gathering in Patikul, Sulu, MNLF leaders urged national lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow Sulu to rejoin BARMM. Key regional officials, including ministers from BARMM, echoed this call, emphasizing that such a move would reinforce the peace process and honor past agreements with both the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
They stressed that Sulu’s reintegration is not merely a territorial issue but a matter of historical justice and a step toward achieving lasting peace in Mindanao. The MNLF believes that restoring Sulu to BARMM would strengthen the region's political and cultural cohesion and reaffirm commitments made during decades of negotiations and peace efforts.
Future Implications
If Sulu is allowed to rejoin BARMM, it could lead to important changes. It might encourage other areas with similar situations to ask for reconsideration. This move could also strengthen unity among Moro communities and help the region move forward with peace and cooperation. However, it may also raise new questions about how decisions like plebiscites and court rulings should be handled in the future when peace and representation are involved.
