The launching of the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) last Friday in Davao City is the “best second chance,” according to MILF Chairman Alhaj Murad Ebrahim during his speech for the occasion.
“We feel more confident in achieving a lasting solution today to the Moro Question than at any other time in our struggle, because we have a President who understands the history and the root cause of the Moro Question,” Ebrahim said.
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, who appointed the 21 members of the new BTC last February 10, was the guest of honor for the event that was attended by no less than 500 leaders and members of the MILF and a similar number invited by the government.
The “re-launch” of the BTC was also described by Ebrahim as “rekindl(ing) the hope of thousands of our people for a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro.” (see Chairman Murad Ebrahim’s speech)
The previous 15-member BTC was launched on April 3, 2013 and its officials served co-terminus with then Pres. Benigno Aquino III.
Last November 7, President Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 8 which increased the number of commissioners to 21, ten of whom were nominated by the government while eleven, including the chairman, come from the side of the MILF.
In his much-applauded impromptu speech, Pres. Duterte urged the BTC to “navigate the hindrances and obstruction at hanapin ninyo ang daan hanggang patungo ng kapayapaan.”
“The one thing that is really important is that you have the control of the resources and of course the income of your own land, that is what is important to the Moro people, their territory … the changing fortunes of time un their hands,” Duterte said.
Chairman Ebrahim disclosed that even if they are “occasionally gripped by sadness at the failure earlier to pass the BBL,” they have to be more prepared this time to meet head-on the challenges of hurdling the legislative mill.
Ebrhim said that the “epoch-making task” of bringing peace is a unique opportunity provided even by the Constitution “for the Executive to negotiate peace; for the Legislative to enact peace legislation; and for the Supreme Court to rule on constitutional issues for peace.“
Ebrahim made an appeal to the Filipino people to “embrace not only democracy but justice and equity as well.”
He also said that the Filipinos, many of whom still harbor deep-seated biases against the Moros, must equally stand prepared to accept the latter as “partners in achieving peace and progress, not only for this region but for the entire country.”
The new members of the expanded BTC who were formally presented last Friday are Ghazali Jaafar (chairman), Mohagher M. Iqbal, Abdulraof A. Macacua, Ibrahim D. Ali, Haron M. Abas, Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, Said M. Shiek, Hussein P. Muñoz, Melanio U. Ulama, Gafur A. Kanain, Ammal D. Solaiman, Atty. Firdausi Y. Abbas, Atty. Omar Yasser C. Sema, Hatimil Hassan, Atty. Jose I. Lorena, Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, Atty. Hussin Amin, Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, Mussolini S. Lidasan, Dr. Susana Salvador-Anayatin and Romeo Saliga.
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