MILF: Maguindanao mayors pass a manifesto urging lawmakers to pass BBL without revisions

Posted to MILF Website (Nov 13): Maguindanao mayors pass a manifesto urging lawmakers to pass BBL without revisions

In a report today, November 13, by Philstar, it said that Mayors in Maguindanao province passed a manifesto last Tuesday, November 10 in Buluan town that urged lawmakers in both Houses of Congress to act for the approval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) without revisions.

Mayor Ibrahim Ibay of Parang town said that “He is optimistic the manifesto, prepared in support of the government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace efforts, can convince lawmakers to pass the BBL into law sooner than expected.

 “We are for peace, we are for lasting peace in Mindanao,” said Ibay, the first to affix his signature to the document.

The signing of the manifesto by local officials capped off a peace dialogue among representatives of local government units and different international and local organizations helping in the GPH-MILF peace initiatives, Philstar also said in its report.

The dialogue was jointly organized by the office of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and an influential peace advocacy bloc, The Building Autonomous and Stable Institutions and Communities for Bangsamoro Advancement through National Level and Grassroots Organization Network (B-BANGON).

Among the five provincial governors in the ARMM, only Mangudadatu, has been so vocal in endorsing the peace process.

Speakers took turns discussing the importance of the Mindanao peace process and its dividends that are now felt in Maguindanao in an open forum, where participants talked about their optimism on the ongoing GPH-MILF peace overtures.

The dialogue in Buluan was supported by the Australian government through The Asia Foundation (TAF) headed by Dr. Steven Rood as TAF’s Country Representative. Dr. Rood is also a member of the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT).

Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, GPH Peace panel chair, Sammy Al-Mansor, Secretary General of the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party, and Rood were present during the dialogue that led to the passing of the manifesto.

 “We are hoping the draft BBL would be passed as is, without changes. We support the diplomatic dealings of President Benigno Aquino III with the MILF. In so doing, we show our love for peace,” Mangudadatu told The STAR Friday via text message. (Source: Philstar)

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