“As a result of the failure of government, particularly Congress to pass the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law), there is widespread frustration on the ground by our (Bangsamoro) people and members of the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front),” Mohager Iqbal, MILF Peace Panel Chairman disclosed in his opening statement in a meeting with the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 10-11, 2016.
On March 27, 2014, the two parties signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that was witnessed by diplomats, international community, MILF, Bangsamoro leaders, line agencies, and peace groups.
The peace deal provides the crafting of BBL by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and its passage by the Philippine Congress.
Once passed and approved by the Bangsamoro people through a plebiscite, the BBL will pave way for the establishment of the autonomous Bangsamoro government that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Iqbal said the Bangsamoro people accuse the government of resorting again to delaying tactics and just managing the conflict in Mindanao.
“In view of this, the MILF and government shall jointly find ways and means to address this dangerous situation and avoid actions that may increase the frustrations,” he suggested.
“We must provide them hope that there is chance for passage of CAB-compliant BBL whoever will be the next president,” the MILF Peace Panel Chair pointed out.
He reiterated, “This must be in the form of firm and unequivocal commitment from the government that it shall continue to comply with its obligations under the CAB, particularly on the passage of CAB-compliant BBL, which is unilateral obligation of the government.”
In order to preserve the gains of the peace process, Iqbal said the government and the MILF should journey together in faithfully implementing the CAB, guided by the principle of “as is, where is.”
“In other words, the most immediate step is either the BBL will be refiled in Congress or a new basic law, faithful to the letter and spirit of the CAB, will be crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which will most likely have new faces as members,” he hinted.
Iqbal, concurrently chairman of the BTC, thanked friends in the diplomatic corps and the international community for their continued solidarity and support to the cause of peace and reconciliation.
“Your support, in many ways, helped us forged the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, prevent a return to armed conflict and minimise the horrific impact of war” he underscored.
Iqbal related the MILF’s deep gratitude to the Government of Malaysia for the latter’s facilitation in the peace talks. “You are a big brother to us,” he said citing that the esteem Malaysia has bestowed to the Bangsamoro people will never be forgotten.
The MILF peace panel chair also thanked President Benigno S. Aquino III and the GPH Peace Panel “for negotiating with us in good faith and for pushing the negotiations closer to what is required to bring justice and reconciliation.”
“We have learned our lessons. The problem is structural and systematic,” the MILF peace panel chairman disclosed. He gave assurance that the MILF will adhere to the CAB and comply with its obligations.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/76-international/552-non-passage-of-bbl-gives-widespread-frustration-to-the-bangsamoro-people-milf-peace-panel
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