Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Datu Abul
Khayr Alonto believes the best cease-fire mechanism for the Philippine
government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is the immediate
passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
This would end the 43-year war in Mindanao ,
which he said had claimed over 200,000 lives and rendered over two million
people destitute and homeless, while scattering three million others as
internal refugees.
He added that in the government's recent all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), 130,000 people were displaced.
Alonto was one of the resource persons in the joint hearing on the cease-fire mechanism of the draft BBL, held Monday by the Senate Committee on Local Government, Committee on Peace, Unity and Reconciliation, and the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Laws.
He added that in the government's recent all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), 130,000 people were displaced.
Alonto was one of the resource persons in the joint hearing on the cease-fire mechanism of the draft BBL, held Monday by the Senate Committee on Local Government, Committee on Peace, Unity and Reconciliation, and the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Laws.
He was unable to deliver his prepared speech, but InterAksyon.com obtained a
copy.
"(F)or the first time, the Philippine Congress has the historic opportunity to end the 494 years of Mindanao War waged against the Moro Malay Muslims of Mindanao, with the immediate passage of the (BBL). In your hands is the final liberation of this nation from the shackles of the cruel colonial past," Alonto wrote in the speech he prepared.
He asked that the lawmakers disregard any consideration for the 2016 elections when casting their vote on the passage of the BBL, "For what is another six-year term as compared to forever being remembered by a grateful nation?"
"The best cease-fire mechanism is attainable, and is now in our hands. That is the immediate passage of the (BBL)," he said. "It is one that will automatically place the duty of enforcing peace and order to the Bangsamoro and the local Moro police as it puts an end to the military rule that exists inMindanao ."
Alonto lamented that the peace process had become "hostage" to the Mamasapano clash, which killed 67, including 44 elite policemen. Not only did the public now doubt the MILF, but the Bangsamoro people, as well.
"After the Mamasapano tragedy, the specter is back in every home in Mindanao andMindanao became a war zone
again," he added. "'cease-fire' does not only mean the silence of the
guns. It means the cessation of all forms of hostilities, requiring both
parties to cease from seeing each other as 'enemy force'. It necessitates
putting on hold with utmost patience any program or initiative that could
provoke the resurgence of violence for the purpose of attaining peace with
justice."
He was also "outraged" that the Moro fighters were portrayed as "bloodthirsty, psychotic killers".
"Gentlemen," he wrote, addressing the senators in his speech, "none of you can get near to the reality of the theater of war. You cannot revisit wars through war movies regardless of how epic those movies are. On the battlefield, regardless of what discipline you have, amidst the bombardment of rockets and gunfire, what is left is the judgment of men on the ground. The Bangsamoro Army follows the Qur'anic precepts and rules of engagement in battles, and the articles of war of the Geneva Convention as well."
Alonto praised the Philippine peace panel achieving "the most effective of all cease-fire mechanisms in the last 43 years" with the MILF
With the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, he said, there were no hostilities, no exchange of fires, and no casualties on either side for almost two years.
Nevertheless, he said that trust and confidence could not be legislated, in the same way that love and compassion could not be forced, as these were "gifts of the heart."
"I have always said that the ultimate solution to the Mindanao conflict lies not in the agreements signed between the Philippine government and the MNLF, and now the MILF, but within the hearts and minds of every Filipino, in their acceptance that there exists a first nation, the Bangsamoro people within their midst, their equal brethren sharing this country and facing a common destiny," he said, explaining that the Bangsamoro was the "first nation" in the country before it was occupied by the Spanish, Americans, and Japanese.
That the MILF signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Philippine government was proof that the Bangsamoro still wanted to be a part of thePhilippines despite
the losses in the 43-year war in Mindanao .
"For those who hold power, the noblest manifestation of love and country is expected of them in their ability to transcend that inculcated hatred and prejudice of more than 333 years, and not to incite war. They are expected to possess the political will to make the necessary changes if only for freedom and peace with justice to prevail in this country, and it can be done through the immediate passage of the (BBL), based on the (CAB)," Alonto said.
He stressed that the BBL should not be further diluted, as it would simply perpetuate the oppression experienced by the Bangsamoro people, and would do the latter a great injustice.
On the same day, Senator Bongbong Marcos had disclosed two provisions would be dropped from the draft BBL: that allowing the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity's own constitutional bodies such as the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commission on Audit (COA)) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC); and that allowing the creation of a Bangsamoro Police Force.
Marcos is the chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, which invited Alonto to the hearing.
Alonto nevertheless said that he believed in the constitutionality of the BBL.
Alonto also asked that President Aquino urge Congress to sit as a Constituent Assembly and in a single session, "amend the Constitution to perfect whatever constitutional infirmities there may be in the BBL and then enact the (BBL)."
The MNLF chairman ended his speech by saying he believed that the Filipino nation and the Bangsamoro, "under two systems in one country under one flag can gain more in peace than in war."
"(F)or the first time, the Philippine Congress has the historic opportunity to end the 494 years of Mindanao War waged against the Moro Malay Muslims of Mindanao, with the immediate passage of the (BBL). In your hands is the final liberation of this nation from the shackles of the cruel colonial past," Alonto wrote in the speech he prepared.
He asked that the lawmakers disregard any consideration for the 2016 elections when casting their vote on the passage of the BBL, "For what is another six-year term as compared to forever being remembered by a grateful nation?"
"The best cease-fire mechanism is attainable, and is now in our hands. That is the immediate passage of the (BBL)," he said. "It is one that will automatically place the duty of enforcing peace and order to the Bangsamoro and the local Moro police as it puts an end to the military rule that exists in
Alonto lamented that the peace process had become "hostage" to the Mamasapano clash, which killed 67, including 44 elite policemen. Not only did the public now doubt the MILF, but the Bangsamoro people, as well.
"After the Mamasapano tragedy, the specter is back in every home in Mindanao and
He was also "outraged" that the Moro fighters were portrayed as "bloodthirsty, psychotic killers".
"Gentlemen," he wrote, addressing the senators in his speech, "none of you can get near to the reality of the theater of war. You cannot revisit wars through war movies regardless of how epic those movies are. On the battlefield, regardless of what discipline you have, amidst the bombardment of rockets and gunfire, what is left is the judgment of men on the ground. The Bangsamoro Army follows the Qur'anic precepts and rules of engagement in battles, and the articles of war of the Geneva Convention as well."
Alonto praised the Philippine peace panel achieving "the most effective of all cease-fire mechanisms in the last 43 years" with the MILF
With the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, he said, there were no hostilities, no exchange of fires, and no casualties on either side for almost two years.
Nevertheless, he said that trust and confidence could not be legislated, in the same way that love and compassion could not be forced, as these were "gifts of the heart."
"I have always said that the ultimate solution to the Mindanao conflict lies not in the agreements signed between the Philippine government and the MNLF, and now the MILF, but within the hearts and minds of every Filipino, in their acceptance that there exists a first nation, the Bangsamoro people within their midst, their equal brethren sharing this country and facing a common destiny," he said, explaining that the Bangsamoro was the "first nation" in the country before it was occupied by the Spanish, Americans, and Japanese.
That the MILF signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Philippine government was proof that the Bangsamoro still wanted to be a part of the
"For those who hold power, the noblest manifestation of love and country is expected of them in their ability to transcend that inculcated hatred and prejudice of more than 333 years, and not to incite war. They are expected to possess the political will to make the necessary changes if only for freedom and peace with justice to prevail in this country, and it can be done through the immediate passage of the (BBL), based on the (CAB)," Alonto said.
He stressed that the BBL should not be further diluted, as it would simply perpetuate the oppression experienced by the Bangsamoro people, and would do the latter a great injustice.
On the same day, Senator Bongbong Marcos had disclosed two provisions would be dropped from the draft BBL: that allowing the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity's own constitutional bodies such as the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commission on Audit (COA)) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC); and that allowing the creation of a Bangsamoro Police Force.
Marcos is the chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, which invited Alonto to the hearing.
Alonto nevertheless said that he believed in the constitutionality of the BBL.
Alonto also asked that President Aquino urge Congress to sit as a Constituent Assembly and in a single session, "amend the Constitution to perfect whatever constitutional infirmities there may be in the BBL and then enact the (BBL)."
The MNLF chairman ended his speech by saying he believed that the Filipino nation and the Bangsamoro, "under two systems in one country under one flag can gain more in peace than in war."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/108717/mnlf-chair-to-congress-best-cease-fire-mechanism-is-immediate-passage-of-bbl
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