Palace hopes next admin to continue Mindanao peace process

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 22): Palace hopes next admin to continue Mindanao peace process

Malacanang said it hopes that the next administration will prioritize the peace process with the Muslim rebels because the current government has already invested a lot in attaining peace in Mindanao.

Incoming Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said they will not prioritize the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and they will concentrate on the pushing of federalism as championed by president-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

In a radio interview Saturday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the decision not to prioritize BBL rests on the next Congress.

“Iyon pong ultimong pagpapasya hinggil sa mga batas na isusulong, iyon naman ay nasa mandato ng ating Kongreso. At sa sistema ng ating pamahalaan may paghihiwalay ng powers — iyong legislative, executive at judiciary,” he said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Pero hindi naman po nasa isang vacuum iyong talakayan natin diyan. Ang masasabi na lang natin ay ‘yung pananawagan na pag-aralan mabuti at tiyakin na hindi mababalam ‘yung prosesong pangkapayapaan dahil malaki na rin po ang naging puhunan ng ating pamahalaan, ng ating sambayanan.”

“Kung ito naman ay bibigyan nila nang sapat na pagkakataon na mapag-aralan muli, marami na rin naman po ang magsasabi na pwede namang ikonsidera ang pagpapatuloy nito.”'

Coloma also said he hopes that legislators, who are elected by the people, will put national interest at the forefront on the debates on the Mindanao peace process.

“At sa akin lang pong opinyon, nasa pambansang interes na ituloy ang pagsulong sa prosesong pangkapayapaan,” he said.

At the same time, Coloma said he hopes that seeking justice for the SAF 44 who perished in Mamasapano will be continued by the next administration.

He admitted that it’s not easy to gather evidence and find credible witnesses but he added that the Aquino government did its best to give justice to the SAF 44.

The Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation are the lead agencies in the pursuit for Justice for the fallen policemen.

“Hindi po tayo pwedeng mag-give up diyan sa bagay na iyan, sa paghahanap ng hustisya para sa ating mga pulis at binawian ng buhay sa Mamasapano,” he said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2131463832824/palace-hopes-next-admin-to-continue-mindanao-peace-process