The Department of Justice (DOJ) is moving to dismantle the geographic barriers that have long kept legal recourse out of reach for residents in Mindanao’s most isolated corners.
During a high-level dialogue in General Santos City on Nov. 10, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida pledged to bridge the gap between national government services and the remote communities of Regions 9, 10, 11, and 13, as well as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
By strengthening cooperation with BARMM leaders and local government units, the DOJ aims to tackle systemic issues ranging from human trafficking and illegal mining to the complex reintegration of former rebels, The Manila Times reported.
For many in the Bangsamoro region, the absence of a functioning, accessible justice system has historically served as a catalyst for armed conflict. When citizens feel they have no legal avenue to resolve disputes or seek redress for grievances, the appeal of non-state actors often grows.
“Kaya dumadami ang mga rebelde kasi walang matakbuhang hustisya kaya sumasama sa mga rebelde noon,” said BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua. He said that the lack of institutional trust has historically driven people toward armed rebellion, a cycle the current administration now hopes to break through sustained engagement.
Macacua emphasized that the DOJ’s commitment comes at a vital time as the region stabilizes following its parliamentary elections. He said the government’s amnesty programs must be paired with concrete opportunities for former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and other groups to successfully reintegrate into mainstream society.
The dialogue produced tangible proposals aimed at decentralizing legal services. Among the most important is the potential creation of a special provincial prosecutor for the BARMM’s Special Geographic Area, a territory encompassing eight municipalities. BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister Jordan Bayam said that this move would bypass the logistical hurdles that currently prevent residents in isolated areas from reporting crimes or accessing legal counsel.
The inconvenience of seeking basic government documents is also being addressed. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag committed to establishing NBI clearance offices in more remote locations, sparing residents the significant time and expense of traveling to major urban centers. This, according to the NBI, is part of a broader strategy to harmonize investigative procedures and improve the bureau’s footprint across Mindanao.
The DOJ delegation, led by Secretary Vida and supported by Undersecretaries Garney Candelaria and Francis John Tejano, emphasized that the rule of law cannot be enforced in a vacuum. The meeting also addressed cross-border criminal activities, including smuggling and the illegal drug trade, which require coordination between national agencies and local government units.
“The DOJ remains committed to keeping its lines of communication open with local government units to address concerns, counter misinformation and disinformation, and strengthen public trust in the justice system,” Vida said. He maintained that the sustainability of these reforms depends on the continued, transparent cooperation between the national government and local authorities.
By bringing the prosecutor’s office and the NBI closer to the citizenry, the DOJ hopes to replace the vacuum of justice with a reliable, responsive legal framework.
The next phase of this cooperation will involve refining the investigative protocols for the proposed offices, with local government representatives expected to identify further priority areas for service expansion by the end of the year.
