Eastern Visayas Peace Council Undecided on Backing BBL

Tacloban City (PNA) – The Regional Peace and Order Council in Eastern Visayas has deferred on Monday the approval of support to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) for further study and consensus decision of all council members.

“We are still not privy to the provisions of BBL,” said RPOC chairman Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, citing the need for further study of some provisions.

Aquino added that the copy given to them on the draft of BBL on Monday was the original draft and not the amended draft.

Creating such law, according to Aquino, should not be fast tracked but should be studied carefully to avoid complications or loopholes that may affect governance.

Cited as example is the Juvenile Justice Act. The official said many concerns were raised only after the law took effect because lawmakers failed to study it carefully and consulted the public.

The RPOC proposed a public consultation on BBL so that ordinary Filipinos will understand its provisions since most of the council members fear that it will not only affect Mindanao regions, but including other places in the country where Muslims are present.

Dolores, Eastern Samar Mayor Emilliana Villacarillo, provincial president of League of the Municipalities of the Philippines where she received reports last week that there were Muslims who have been going around their town, convincing people to embrace Islamic faith.

This activity is alarming, according to Villacarillo as spreading of Muslim beliefs is a strategy to expand their territory, not just in Mindanao but also in other parts of the country.

The intelligence agency, however, assured Villacarillo that these people going around her town are harmless as they are part of the “Balik Muslim” campaign, a group that believes that prior to become Christians, the dominant Filipino religion was Islam.

Although members of the RPOC in Eastern Visayas deferfirst their support to BBL, the council approved a resolution supporting the continuing initiative for peace process and developmental projects of the national government through Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) areas.

“Let it be known that we are for peace and we support those who are pushing for having lasting peace in Mindanao, but before we could support this law we need to be guided well with our decision,” said Aquino in a statement supported by other RPOC members.

Also present in the meeting were Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Philippine National Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Asher Dolina, Army 8th Infantry Division Commander Major Gen. Jet Velarmino, Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Director Pedro Noval, Jr. and PAMANA Samar Area Manager Imelda Calagos. (PNA) RMA/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR