As we unveiled and launched the BARMM Barangay Justice System Training Manual today, we also carry the sentiment that it could have been more comprehensive had it not been finalized prior to the approval of the following relevant legal documents:

• The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code (BLGC)

• The Bangsamoro Tri-justice Legal Framework

• Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 64, or the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) Act of 2024 (which was signed into law on December 11, 2024, after the Training Manual had already been written)

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Book Launch Message:

Bismillāhi’r-rahmāni’r-rahīm.

Salāmun ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh!

It is with great pride that we launch the BARMM Barangay Justice System (BJS) Training Manual, a milestone in our pursuit of justice, peace, and community empowerment across the Bangsamoro region. This manual is more than a guide—it is a tool to strengthen grassroots governance and foster culturally sensitive and inclusive dispute resolution.

Allow me to highlight three key features of this manual:

1. Inclusivity and Legal Pluralism: It integrates Moro, non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP), and Christian settler perspectives, ensuring culturally sensitive approaches to justice.

2. Comprehensive Modules: It provides practical guidance on legal frameworks, conflict resolution techniques, and community engagement strategies, designed for a five-day training program.

3. Empowering the Grassroots: By decentralizing justice and promoting active community involvement, it strengthens the very foundation of governance and harmony.

Developed by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) with the support of the Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, this manual reflects the values, aspirations, and diversity of the tri-people in the Bangsamoro. Let it serve as our guide in fostering justice, promoting unity, and building a peaceful and inclusive society.

Wa billāhi tawfiq wa’l-hidāyah.

Thank you.