Despite the all-out efforts of peace advocates especially by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to educate the people about the GPH-MILF peace process, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the efforts are not enough. People would still clamor for more explanations and engagements.
Rather than see this negatively, it calls for an affirmative action, because this is a signal that the people are responsive and interested. And more importantly, it is the obligation of the government, MILF, and those who make peace as vocation to let the people understand the whole peace process and where this will bring them. It is their lives and future that are at stake.
Many of the most asked questions were asked again and again. In a session with a Christian audience in Cotabato City on May 13, two of these questions were asked again to showcase the inadequacy of the works of peace advocates: “Will the Christians still be allowed to eat pork?” and “Will their lands be not confiscated by the Bangsamoro Government?”
Of course, the BTC commissioners warmly answered the questions based on signed documents especially the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). They explained that the FAB, Article 1, b and k, state: “Right to freedom and expression of religion and beliefs; and Right to freedom from religious, ethnic and sectarian harassment,” respectively. On the second question, the FAB, number 2, provides that vested property rights shall be recognized and respected.
Advocacy work has at least three important phases: 1) all-out engagement with the people to make them understand and rally behind the whole peace process, 2) engaging the congressmen and senators to urge them to pass a good legislation, and 3) engaging again the people especially the electorates, urging them to vote for the ratification of the BBL. Each of these phases is indispensable.
However, engaging legislators is mainly the task of the GPH peace panel and the Office of the President, because the main line of communication is about legal matters and delivery of the BBL. The BTC’s role, as pointed out earlier, is that of a “little partner”. Even if it wants to, but very little it can do. But rest assured that despite this little and limited role, it would not leave any stone unturned to the best effort possible.
On the other hand, the MILF will not engage directly, but stay focused on how development in relation to the passage of a good legislation is unfolding. It can only hope for the best to happen.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/978-no-effort-is-enough
Many of the most asked questions were asked again and again. In a session with a Christian audience in Cotabato City on May 13, two of these questions were asked again to showcase the inadequacy of the works of peace advocates: “Will the Christians still be allowed to eat pork?” and “Will their lands be not confiscated by the Bangsamoro Government?”
Of course, the BTC commissioners warmly answered the questions based on signed documents especially the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). They explained that the FAB, Article 1, b and k, state: “Right to freedom and expression of religion and beliefs; and Right to freedom from religious, ethnic and sectarian harassment,” respectively. On the second question, the FAB, number 2, provides that vested property rights shall be recognized and respected.
Advocacy work has at least three important phases: 1) all-out engagement with the people to make them understand and rally behind the whole peace process, 2) engaging the congressmen and senators to urge them to pass a good legislation, and 3) engaging again the people especially the electorates, urging them to vote for the ratification of the BBL. Each of these phases is indispensable.
However, engaging legislators is mainly the task of the GPH peace panel and the Office of the President, because the main line of communication is about legal matters and delivery of the BBL. The BTC’s role, as pointed out earlier, is that of a “little partner”. Even if it wants to, but very little it can do. But rest assured that despite this little and limited role, it would not leave any stone unturned to the best effort possible.
On the other hand, the MILF will not engage directly, but stay focused on how development in relation to the passage of a good legislation is unfolding. It can only hope for the best to happen.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/978-no-effort-is-enough
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