Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: MILF rejects changes in proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

Saturday, September 19, 2015

MILF rejects changes in proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 18): MILF rejects changes in proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal gestures during a forum with foreign correspondents based in the Philippines, on the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which would pave the way for the creation of a new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in southern Philippines, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 at suburban Mandaluyong city, east of Manila. The rebel leader said changes being introduced in the proposed Muslim autonomy law under a peace deal are unacceptable but adds that the insurgents would continue to appeal to lawmakers to pass a legislation that can help end a decades-old rebellion in the country's south. The passage of the BBL was marred by a Jan. 25 incident that saw the killings of 44 elite police commandos by Muslim rebels in an operation to capture terrorist Zulkipli bin Hir, also known as "Marwan" inside an MILF territory. At left is Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal gestures during a forum on the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law on Friday in Mandaluyong City. At left is Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process. AP

The peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has said the changes being introduced in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law are unacceptable.

But Mohagher Iqbal also said the insurgents would continue to appeal to lawmakers to pass legislation that could help end a decades-old rebellion in the Philippines’ south.

Iqbal, chief negotiator of the 11,000-strong MILF, on Friday said delays in the bill’s passage had made the insurgents anxious. He added, however, that rebel leaders remained “in control of the situation” and were updating commanders on progress in efforts to enforce the peace deal, which was signed last year.

A police antiterror assault in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, led to the killing of 44 commandos in Jan. 25 clashes that involved some of the rebels, causing delays in the passage of the autonomy bill.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/723391/milf-rejects-changes-in-proposed-bangsamoro-basic-law