The island municipality of Pangutaran, Sulu sponsored a symposium on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) last December 13, 2014 attended by members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) as resource speakers.
The attendance of Engr. Muhajirin Ali, Atty. Haron Meling, Chief Executive Assistant to the Office of BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal was requested and arranged by Hajji Said Akkoh, Chairman of MILF Political Committee in the province. Mr. Judy Jaafar, member of the BTC Communication Group, who hails from Sulu was also part of the team.
The delegation was escorted by a platoon of members of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) led by Base Commander Musackar Abbi of the 117th Base Command.
The symposium was facilitated by the local government unit (LGUs) of Pangutaran.
The BTC delegation took them about four (4) hours from Port of Jolo before reaching the island of Pangutaran.
In an informal gathering prior to the start of the activity the next day, Engr. Ali briefly gave updates on the GPH-MILF Peace Process and the BBL to thoroughly apprise the local residents and MILF officials and members in the locality.
The following day, the symposium took place at the Social Hall of Pangutaran National High School. It was attended by officials and employees of the LGU, public school teachers, Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), religious sectors and Pangutaran community residents.
Atty. Meling started his lecture by citing how BBL came about, while Engr. Ali discussed the provisions of the proposed law.
The questions raised by Pangutaran residents were:
1. Where is the seat of the Bangsamoro Government?
2. What are the qualifications of members of Bangsamoro Police Force?
3. What will happen to BIAF combatants who were not able to graduate from college?
4. Who will lead the Bangsamoro Transition Authority?
5. Is the MILF Municipal Political Chairman automatically becomes the mayor of a municipality once the BTC is in place?
6. Are benefits can be given to those who were victim of human rights violations?
7. What will the MILF do if the BBL is not passed by congress?
On the question whether “benefits can be given to human rights victims”?, Engr. Ali said that, “There is a mechanism on Normalization process that will address human rights violations during the conflict”.
“Under the GPH-MILF peace process there is what we call ‘Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission’ or TJRC chaired by Switzerland and there are members from MILF and GPH. The commission among others is tasked to address human rights violations”, Engr. Ali further said.
Chairman Akkoh expressed his sincerest thanks to BTC for sending the speakers to make them fully aware of the contents of the proposed law and then delivered his closing message.
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