BBL is Formula For Peace and National Solidarity—MILF

Continuing his appeal for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal highlighted that it is the solution to ending the internal armed conflict in Mindanao and promoting peace and national unity among Filipinos.

“The best way to move forward is to pursue the path of peace. We don’t want war [to happen again] and we don’t want it to continue anymore. The BBL is a priority bill, nay an administration bill, that seeks to establish peace in Mindanao,” Iqbal said in a roundtable discussion with media held on Monday.

“Every one of us can help because the passage of the BBL is of national interest. After more than 42 years of armed conflict, and of 17 years of long, hard, and harsh negotiations, then the government has to exhaust all possible extra efforts and measures to get the law passed,” he added.

The MILF chief peace negotiator reaffirmed the rebel group’s commitment in the peace process despite delays in the passage of the BBL as well as its continued trust on the commitment made by Congress’ leadership to pass a law that would embody the Bangsamoro aspiration for autonomy without diminishing the current powers enjoyed by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“We never say die [in lobbying for the passage of the BBL]. Congress can do it,” Iqbal said. “The role of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which I happen to head has been consistently and tirelessly monitoring the progress… [of] the deliberations of the BBL in the halls of Congress.”

Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel–Ferrer stressed that the support and participation of every Filipino on the success of the Bangsamoro peace process is important.

“The BBL is not just for the MILF but for all of us. People want the peace process to be 100% risk-free, but part of it is a leap of faith out of good intentions,” Ferrer said. “Our appeal is to have the faith with us so that we will have the best results.”

Ferrer added that the passage of the BBL will lessen the problems of the next president as the proposed law will correct the structural problems within ARMM.

“Our challenge to the next President, do you want to inherit a problem or the solution? Let’s give peace a chance,” she said.

Debunking ridiculous claims on the BBL

The government chief negotiator noted that delays in the passage of the BBL are partly due to misinformation circulated immediately after the Mamasapano incident.

“After the Mamasapano tragedy, political opponents of the current administration used the BBL to derail the peace process while some politicians continue to use this as a platform to bolster their 2016 election campaign,” she said.

Ferrer also debunked some claims as simply ridiculous. These include conspiracy theories that the BBL caters to Malaysia’s vested interests on Mindanao particularly the claim on Sabah and that the proposed law will lead to secession led by the MILF in which Ferrer cleared that the main aim of the peace talks is to stop the war and institute the needed reforms in order to achieve national unity.

“The MILF has committed to observe the ceasefire and undergo decommissioning of weapons and combatants while other groups continue to use violent and indiscriminate means. They remain committed to the peace process despite the delay on the passage of the BBL,” she said.

Ferrer also clarified that there is nothing unconstitutional in the BBL, noting that the key features and structural changes in the draft law are all within the flexibilities of the Philippine Constitution. She emphasized the inclusivity of the Bangsamoro law.

“The BBL is not just for the MILF. It protects the rights and welfare of all inhabitants of the prospective Bangsamoro,” Ferrer said.

Meanwhile Iqbal added that “mistrust, biases, and prejudices, fear and paranoia against Muslims or Moros have created much opinion on the Christian majority population including so-called intelligentsia, Church-people, media pundits, and media networks and that this bias is at the heart of the rejection of any BBL. The only…lasting legacy President Aquino can give to our people especially those in Mindanao is lasting peace through the passage of BBL.” (OPAPP)