The process of creating a new autonomous entity in Mindanao has begun. But progress toward implementing the Bangsamoro region will be slow.
After four years of delay , the Philippine government has fulfilled a key pledge to appease the ethnic Moro minority in the country's restive south. On July 26, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law. This starts the process of implementing a new autonomous region in Mindanao that will grant the Muslim group greater control over local affairs . While this will do much to erode the appeal of extremist and jihadist groups, numerous risks will arise during the long period of implementation. Getting Mindanao under control took renewed importance after the takeover of Marawi city by militants aligned with the Islamic State in 2017. Rebel groups have long demanded secession or, in more moderate modes, a greater degree of local control of politics, development and social issues.
