(Newsfeature) BBL: Filipinos at the crossroads

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6): (Newsfeature) BBL: Filipinos at the crossroads

Would you go to the troubled parts of Mindanao? Would you befriend an MILF member?

I bet most of you would answer "No," or even "No way!" We cannot deny the fact that many, nowadays, picture the conflict areas in Mindanao as a dangerous place and the MILFs depicted as bad guys.

Apparently, the passage of the Basic Bangsamoro Law (BBL) would clear that picture, as it is said to bring peace in the entire country as well as normalcy in the lives of the Moros, the MILF combatants and their families.

Recently, the BBL is always in the news. As cool as it may sound like the BB in BlackBerry and the ladies’ all-time favorite BB Cream, the BBL has a deeper meaning and agenda. Its thrusts, according to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government of the Philippines (GPH) are being misunderstood by the public.

There were many questions raised about the bill. Fears have been expressed. What will happen when the BBL is passed? Who will benefit from it? These are just some of the many questions running in the minds of many Juan. Some, on the other hand, don’t care at all, as it would take them time to read the BBL draft. Thus, Filipinos are at a crossroads. Will you support the BBL? Will you go against it?

In a dialogue Monday among the MILF, the Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches (PCEC) and the GPH, the three groups expressed their desire for the passage of the BBL.

Each agreed that all Filipinos, not just the MILF or the Bangsamoro, will benefit from it. They also noted the common public misconceptions and fully expressed why they think anti-BBL sentiments exist.

Dissecting the BBL draft

Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, described that there are actually three groups currently existing: the "Stop BBL" group, the "Stall BBL" and the "Dilute BBL."

She said the "Stop BBL" group thinks that the said law is unconstitutional. They believe that the MILF is not a sincere partner to the government. Deles also noted that this group thinks that BBL will lead to independence and entry of ISIS.

The "Stall BBL" group, on the other hand, wants justice for the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) policemen who died during the January 25 anti-terrorist operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao after a clash with members of the MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and armed groups.

Meanwhile, the "Dilute BBL" wants to remove CAB provisions. Deles said reports on the provision on Constitutional bodies, Bangsamoro Police and P70-billion fund for BBL were without basis.

So what is the GPH position on BBL?

First, she clarified that BBL was never rushed. “It has undergone 36 public hearings not just in Congress but also in Visayas and Mindanao,” she cited, and continued that it has undergone more consultations than any other laws enacted by the Congress. Also, she cited that President Benigno S. Aquino III and his Cabinet fully support the passage of the BBL.

Other supporters, according to MILF Peace Negotiation Panel chief, Mohagher Iqbal, are the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP); business community (Makati Business Club, Mindanao Business Council); 18 surviving members of the 1987 Constitutional Convention; Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); growing support from other Christian churches; civil society; NGOs; and international community.

As for Iqbal, he said the MILF is pushing for BBL’s passage as this will end the long-standing armed conflict in Mindanao. “Human rights violations, economic inequities, social and cultural discriminations will be addressed in the BBL,” he said.

He noted that the law will end the suffering of the Bangsamoro people and other inhabitants of Mindanao. There will be no more war between the MILF and the AFP, thus, people will be more focused on livelihood and basic necessities in life.

Furthermore, Iqbal cited that the BBL will foster harmony and unity since inclusive representation and equitable sharing of resources will harmonize various groups. Iqbal envisions that BBL will pave the way for more inter-religious partnerships and dialogues. “The BBL will also buy in economic development in Bangsamoro, Mindanao, and the entire country. Foreign investors will be attracted to invest in a peaceful country,” he said.

Allaying fears

Both the MILF and the GPH mentioned that one of the most feared results of the BBL is with regard to the Shariah law. They clarified the Shariah law will only be applied to Muslims, and will not be applied to Christians and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). This also proves that Bangsamoro will not be an Islamic state since there would be separate courts for non-Muslims.

The rights (human rights, vested rights) will also be protected. The Bangsamoro Parliament will also have reserved seats for settler (Christian) communities.

Iqbal highlighted that now is the time to pass the BBL. “Opportunity rarely knocks on our doors,” he noted. Iqbal added that people will be disappointed if this will not be passed, and the MILF’s effectiveness will sink at the lowest level. He added that the MILF will not decommission its weapons and combatants “until the BBL is passed."

Busting myths

The MILF and GPH highlighted several facts, which, according to them, are commonly misunderstood by the public:

--Bangsamoro will not have its own armed forces. The defense and security are reserved to the national government;

-- It will not have a separate police;

-- There is no automatic integration of MILF combatants to the PNP and AFP. If they wish to apply, they will have to comply with the requirements set by the PNP;

-- It will not have its own Constitutional Commission; and

-- It will not receive P70-75 billion on its first year.

While it is true that the Mamasapano clash brought much anger, grief, and distrust, Deles said she thinks these were used towards one agenda – to weaken the President.

“If you don’t want the President to succeed, you would not want him to pass the BBL, which could even become a big legacy,” she noted.

She added the Anti-PNoy campaign, the original anti-BBL campaign as well as the 2016 electoral ambitions as other factors.

While the Constitution is very clear on the separation of the Church and the State, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) expressed its full support to the government and the passage of the BBL.

“The PCEC envisions to help transform our nation. We call all parties to make the safety of civilians their priority,” said PCEC National Director Bishop Noel Pantoja.

Former PCEC National Director, Bishop Ephraim Tendero, stated that their group firmly believes that if they are pro-peace, then they are doing what God wanted, which is peace.

The BBL is set to undergo Committee hearings and the public is invited to attend. As Filipinos are at the crossroads, Deles leaves the following questions:

Would you return to war or a continued pursuit of peace?

Would you choose bigotry or celebrate cultural diversity?

Would you heighten distrust or choose leap of faith?

Would you prefer the short term interest of politicians or the long term interest of children everywhere?

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=750762