InterAksyon file photo of MNLF chairman Abul Khayr Alonto
Two of the country's top Muslim rebel groups will push for the creation of a new version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that they expect will pave the way for a lasting peace in conflict-ridden Mindanao.
Outgoing President Benigno Aquino III lobbied for the passage of the BBL but failed to muster enough support from Congress until it adjourned last February in preparation for the election campaign.
The BBL, borne out of the peace agreement signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014, seeks "to establish the new Bangsamoro political entity and provide for its basic structure of government, in recognition of the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people."
On Sunday, MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leaders said they would draft a new law seeking wider autonomy for the Bangsamoro. They said they would start drafting it after the month-long fast for Ramadan in July this year.
MNLF chairman Abul Khayr Alonto told reporters in Davao City that a Moro convention would be held for the drafting of the law and that the groups "will work hard to convice" incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to support the draft.
MILF and MNLF leaders expect that the draft will bring "lasting peace to this country," and "will be acceptable also to the country," according to Alonto.
He said the MILF and the MNLF "will be moving around Bangsamoro communities" to present the draft.
Alonto said he was optimistic that the draft would "provide a final resolution to the Mindanao conflict."
He said he was also hoping that they would get the "support of the international community," for this undertaking, particularly the Organization on Islamic Cooperation and Malaysia.
Last Friday, MILF and MNL leaders met with Duterte in Davao City and backed the incoming chief executive's plan to change the country's form of government from unilateral to federal.
“A federal system could very well put in place a government of transparency and accountability, and effectively address the peace and order problems, including drug trafficking and kidnap for ransom,” Alonto told reporters after the meeting held at Hotel Elena.
MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar said the purpose of their meeting with Duterte "is to unify the position of the Bangsamoro leaders by way of convergence, to resolve those concerns that have been addressed separately."
http://interaksyon.com/article/129257/milf-mnlf-to-draft-new-bbl-seek-dutertes-support
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