Philippines’ Muslim region moves toward green transformation

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (MNTV) – Deep in the mountains of Matanog area of the Philippines where the sound of gunfire once echoed through the forests, a transformation is taking root.

What was once a stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the decades-long Moro struggle for independence from the Philippines is now being envisioned as a symbol of ecological preservation, and renewal.

The forests of the camp are teeming with life such as rare birds, hornbills, wild animals, and even the elusive Philippine tarsier. These untouched pockets of biodiversity were, until recently, obscured by the long shadow of war, reports the RAPPLER.

Now called Camp Iranun, the area served as the symbolic and operational heart of the MILF until it was overrun by the Philippines military in 2000. It was in what used to be known as Camp Abubakar where the late Ustadz Salamat Hashim, MILF founding chair, led the independence movement.

The eventual peace pact between the MILF and the government led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Much of the preserved house of Salamat, a modest fortress tucked into the foliage of a hill in Camp Iranun, still stands, but bats have become its inhabitants.  

Ustadz Salamat’s concrete house draws journalists and researchers seeking a deeper understanding of the movement’s roots and the man who led it. There, former MILF fighters serve as guides.

Brigadier General Romulo Quemado sees Camp Iranun not merely as a demilitarized zone or a relic of conflict, but as a sanctuary of biodiversity or an ecological zone.

Quemado, who has a passion for bird photography, is calling for environmental protection and endangered species conservation to be embedded into the Camp Transformation Initiatives, a government program aimed at converting former conflict zones into peaceful, productive spaces.

“Integrate robust environmental protection and endangered species conservation directly into the Camp Transformation Initiatives,” he demanded.

The general, known for launching community-based conservation in other parts of Mindanao, has drawn inspiration from a previous success – Project Tawsi in Tawi-Tawi – where he helped former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters and local organizations form forest ranger teams protect endangered species like the Sulu hornbill and combat illegal logging and mining.

He said that if not for election-related security duties and his brief assignment, he would have organized community-based conservation groups and civil society organizations to run environmental protection programs for Camp Iranun. 

“I had the opportunity to photo-document, take pictures of the various animals seen here, and also the plants,” Quemado recounted with enthusiasm.

One of his most memorable finds was the pristine Ambal River – its clean, winding waters cutting through untouched forest, a symbol of what peace has made possible.

“Ustadz Hashim Salamat resided here, and his old house is well-preserved. I believe they need to reconnect with the principles of their leaders who sacrificed for them. At the same time, in reconnecting, they need to see the value of ecology as sustainable development, connected to the peace dividend they are now receiving from the hardships and sacrifices of those who came before them,” Quemado said.

The proposal has found strong local support. Matanog Mayor Zohria “Jo” Bansil-Guro, whose town borders the Barira mountain ranges that cradle Camp Iranun, said they are “one big group” behind the vision.

“We have been consistent in working with our Ist Marine Brigade in our quest and vision: ‘From war zone to economic zone,’” Guro said.