Iqbal: MILF will push for peace, no matter what

From InterAksyon (Mar 27): Iqbal: MILF will push for peace, no matter what



MILF negotiating panel chair Mohagher Iqbal speaks on a dialogue with audience from different sectors and religious background at the Bishop house in Cagayan de Oro City. Photographed by Erwin Mascarinas

During a dialogue early this week at the Bishop House at Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City, MILF negotiating panel chair Mohagher Iqbal assured the audience and guests that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will push for peace no matter what happens with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

"No matter what happens, the MILF will not disengage in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao. Even if Congress will not pass the law in this term, we will pursue it in the next," said Iqbal.

Iqbal acknowledged the problems that BBL is now facing, which was aggravated further after the Mamasapano incident where 67 persons were killed, including 44 commandos from the Special Action Force, 17 from the MILF and four civilians.

"We have compromised so much for the pursuit of peace. For years the MILF struggled to defend our position for the call of independence. From the start of the peace negotiation, we had conceded ground and opted for a more peaceful solution by working with the government on the peace process. Our appeal is that we hope and trust in the collective wisdom of Congress to pass the BBL," said Iqbal who is also the vice chairman of the MILF.

Iqbal pointed out the long years and process the BBL went through to get to the point where it is now.

"The original draft that we wrote on the proposed BBL that was initially submitted to the office of the President was revised by about 60%. Then, time and again, several revisions were discussed and resolved until this, the current form. Our appeal is that we are open for improvement and enhancement of the BBL, but I hope Congress will not water it down," he said.

Adding that the BBL was designed to solve a problem, Iqbal said turning it down will not address the problem.

"The worst that could happen is that a BBL will be passed but diluted. I would prefer a BBL that is not passed than a BBL that is watered down.

"At least no one can blame us and we would have a chance to pass it in a future administration," said Iqbal.  

"In the past, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was offered to the MILF three times, but we turned it down for the fact that it was not a solution to the Bangsamoro problem. It never addressed the real problems of the people, that is why it was a failure," pointing to the problems the ARMM has created and not resolved since its conception.

But Iqbal reiterated that there would be certain problems out of the control of the MILF if it loses face and the trust of the people in the area.

"There is so much expectation of our people, and I believe that from this expectation, the people already established certain hopes that would be a huge frustration if they are not met. I am speaking of reality, if in case the BBL is not passed, then MILF will lose its grip and legitimacy, thus losing control over our people," Iqbal warned.  

"Nobody wants war, especially with people battered enough already. I’ve been in this struggle for more than 40 years. We hope that everything will still turn out fine and that the BBL will be passed," Iqbal concluded.

The guests that attended the interfaith gathering and dialogue were later made to understand certain parts of the BBL that raised issues among those who did not understand the law.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107812/iqbal-milf-will-push-for-peace-no-matter-what