NSC: Passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law will temper ISIS influence in PHL

From GMA News (Oct 21): NSC: Passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law will temper ISIS influence in PHL

More than promoting peace and prosperity in Mindanao, the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will also counter the threat of radical ideology promoted by the militant Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the National Security Council (NSC) said Tuesday.

NSC Undersecretary Zenaida Brosas told lawmakers at the hearing of the House ad hoc committee on the BBL that the passage of the law will also help curb the spread of extremism in the southern part of the Philippines.

“The Bangsamoro government would be able to moderate Islamic leaders, counter the ideology of radicalism being promoted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and steer the Muslim community away from ISIS influence,” she said.

The proposed BBL, otherwise known as House Bill 4994, will formalize the creation of the Bangsamoro region envisioned to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Several stakeholders—from businesses to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) earlier this year with the national government, said passage of the landmark legislation will address the problem of conflict in Mindanao.

Several news reports have hinted at budding ISIS recruitment in Mindanao, with former President Fidel Ramos claiming that around 100 individuals are training with the militant group.

However, the Philippine Army said it has not monitored any suspicious activity from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Abu Sayyaf group after its leaders pledged allegiance to ISIS last August.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the MILF, while the Abu Sayyaf is a radical group allied with the al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist networks.

ISIS gained notoriety for carrying out atrocities in the areas of Syria and Iraq it has managed to capture.

Dire repercussions

Brosas said passing the BBL will also allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines to focus its manpower and resources to addressing external national security concerns such as the protection of the Philippines’ territorial integrity and maritime domain.

Congress’ failure to pass the Bangsamoro bill, however, could lead to adverse security implications for Mindanao and the whole country, she warned.

One of the dangerous repercussions seen by the NSC is the return of MILF to armed conflict.

“The failure of the CAB [to materialize into a law] will inevitably force the MILF to return to armed conflict—only this time, with greater determination of pursuing secession,” Brosas said.

Failure to pass the BBL will also be a vindication for rebel groups such as the MNLF and BIFF since it would show the government can’t fulfill its promises, she added.

“This might come to a point when a tactical alliance would be formed among the MILF, MNLF and BIFF in the quest for independence,” Brosas said.

The continued existence of the ARMM in the event the Bangsamoro bill isn’t passed, Brosas noted, might anger people in the region because they will feel “cheated” after desiring peace for several years.

National security

Former AFP Chief of Staff and incumbent Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon said that while he is for the passage of the BBL, he wants the current House bill to be amended to emphasize the national government will have power on matters of national security.

Section 1, Article V of the proposed BBL states the national government will exercise reserved powers regarding national defense and external security.

Biazon, however, said national defense was just one of the components of national security.

“In the proposed law, they are saying that the national government has no power to address rebellion, insurrection, insurgency, and even terrorism. All of that are components of national security,” he said in a press briefing at the sidelines of the hearing.

The government will be effectively stripped of its powers to handle concerns such as rebellion, insurrection, disaster and terrorism if the bill fails to mention the specific phrase “national security,” he said.

Defense undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, however, clarified during the hearing that the Bangsamoro bill  gives the national government authority to address national security concerns.

“The power to address concerns regarding defense and national security is lodged with the President,” he said.

Biazon said he will propose a substitute bill to HB 4994 stating the government to take charge of concerns pertaining to national defense and security.

“I would propose an amendment to delete that proposal in the Bangsamoro basic law that which defines the national government is only responsible for national defense and external security,” he said.

 http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/384528/news/regions/nsc-passage-of-bangsamoro-basic-law-will-temper-isis-influence-in-phl