Philippines/South East Asia: How "organic" is the Bangsamoro Organic Law?

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Philippines | 20 August 2018

According to a report by Benar News on 23 July 2018, the Islamic State group (IS) has announced a re-organization and the formation of a new province in South East Asia called "Wilayat sharq Aasiya". Meanwhile, the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte promises far-reaching autonomy for the Muslim minority in the south, as reported by Reuters on 26 July 2018. Thomas Muller, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "IS"s reorganization is a desperate attempt to remain relevant. It is no surprise that it has been forced to reduce its provinces in the Middle East from 22 to 2, reflecting the serious military setbacks it has been suffering. If stretching its reach to other regions in the world is a solution to their struggle remains to be seen. In order to stay attractive, it has to offer power or money, not mere claims." Thomas Muller continues: "It is an encouraging sign that the Bangsamoro Organic Law has been endorsed by the largest insurgency group MILF. Although it will lead to more autonomy for the Muslim minority, to what extent this law can live up to its title "˜Organic" remains to be seen. Only a few days later a bomb attack at a check-point in the southern Philippines killed 11 people, as Reuters reported on 31 July 2018. The suicide bomber was a Moroccan national, giving credibility to the claim that the attack was endorsed by IS. This attack highlights the fact that there are several Islamic radical groups active in the region, as a report by New Mandala on 3 August 2018 shows. Therefore the danger for Christians (especially converts from Islam to Christianity) in this region is likely to continue for a long time yet."