Mindanao Peace Advocates Rally for Passage of Draft BBL

Cotabato City (PNA) — As the Senate inquiry on the Mamasapano carnage began, hundreds of peace advocates held on Tuesday simultaneous rallies in Mindanao’s major cities calling for the continuation of the deliberation on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Organized by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) and also held simultaneously from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pikit, North Cotabato, Gen. Santos City, Marawi City, Isabela City, Pagadian City, Bonga, Tawi-Tawi, Jolo, Sulu, Zamboanga City, Quezon City and Tacurong City.

“We are expecting at least a million participants in the rallies,” Raby Angkal, speaking for the MAP, told reporters.

Similar rally was to be held in Zamboanga City and Tacurong City but was called off due to absence of rally permits.

Several streamers calling for the passage of the draft law were displayed in the rally site.

Rangkal said the participants also called on the lawmakers not to water down the draft BBL and approve it according to the government and MILF road map to peace.

Rangkal also urged the government lawmakers not to sacrifice the gains of the 17-year-old peace process and asked legislators to conduct separate probe of the Mamasapano carnage.

He said the people of Mindanao and even all Filipinos have been tired of war and they want to live peacefully. (PNA) FPV/NYP/EOF