Wednesday, March 25, 2015

MILF: Int’l, local peace monitors support passage of BBL

Posted to the MILF Website (Mar 25): Int’l, local peace monitors support passage of BBL

Int’l, local peace monitors support passage of BBL

Officials of an International peacekeeping organization and members of Local Monitoring Team (LMT) expressed their support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law which could bring peace in Mindanao.

“The passage of the BBL is the most crucial opportunity,” Georgi Engelbrecht, Head of Field Office of Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) in South-Central Mindanao said.

In an interview, NP Country Director Paul Fraleigh said BBL is very important in pursuing peace in Mindanao and it should be acceptable to all. 

Datu Ruben Ampatuan, Chairman of LMT – Sultan Kudarat said the BBL is the best option for peace. He warned that if BBL will not be realized, there shall be more untoward incidents that may result to loss of lives.

Ampatuan hoped the BBL drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which is now in Congress for deliberation and ratification will not be diluted.

Julian Montemayor, Chairman of LMT – Sarangani, cited the importance of BBL in finding solution for conflict in Mindanao. 

However, he said “BBL is not a guarantee for peace and stakeholders must continue working for peace even if the BBL will be passed.”

Chairman of LMT-South Cotabato, Board Member Agustin Demaala Jr. said BBL should be passed for it embodies a law attuned to the culture of the Muslim Filipinos. 

Should BBL has provisions that are questionable, Demaala proposed it should be ironed out by the lawmakers for the swift passage of the measure.

Peace Advocate Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda urged Congress to deal with the Mamasapano incident and the BBL separately for they are “two different matters.”

She said on deciding the fate of BBL, the lawmakers must set aside emotions brought by the Mamasapano debacle where 44 police commandos were killed in clash with the Moro rebels and other armed groups.

“Our lawmakers must be objective because BBL is a most appropriate formula that could bring peace in Mindanao,” she stressed. 

The LMT members and representatives from other organizations working for peace and development in Socsargen gathered at the NP Office in General Santos City for a farewell lunch on March 24. NP will transfer its office to Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

NP is a nonpartisan unarmed peacekeeping organization with the goal to protect civilians and reduce violence in areas affected by armed conflict.

The group has deployed internationals to work with local peacekeepers, contribute to their safety, help to maintain ceasefires and advance the peace process.

Nonviolent Peaceforce Philippines Project objectives include:

•Enhancing the work of local peace teams through its presence and by reporting to the outside world;

•Contributing to the maintenance of the ceasefire(s) and working to prevent new violence;

•Supporting human rights reporting mechanisms in remote conflict areas;

•Assisting and connecting local and international advocacy groups;

•Ensuring grassroots conflicts are resolved through dialogue at the local level and do not grow into larger crises

Also present at the gathering were members of the International Monitoring Team-Team Site 4 based at Lagao, General Santos City, comprised of Indonesian, Brunei and Malaysian contingents.

IMT and LMT has the primary task which is to monitor the ceasefire accord between the government and MILF. NP is part of the IMT in-charge for the Civilian Protection Component.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/805-int-l-local-peace-monitors-support-passage-of-bbl

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