IN PHOTO- FRONT ROW, FR LEFT TO RIGHT- GEN. GALVEZ, SWEN. HONTIVEROS, SEN. ANGARA, SEN. MIGZ ZIBURI, CHAIRMAN AL HAJ MURAD, MILD 1ST VICE CHAIRMAN JAAFAR, AND 2nd VICE CHAIRMAN ALI PANGALIAN SOLAIMAN. AT THE BACK ARE GEN DE VEGA IN MILITARY UNIFORM, RG HATAMAN, SEN. EJERCITO, AND MEMBERS OF THE MILF CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Chairman of Senate Sub-Committee on BBL, who recently withdrew his version of Bangsamoro Law, and instead filed the BTC-Crafted Bangsamoro Basic Law (BB) known as Senate Bill No. 1646, headed his delegation in a courtesy call to the leadership of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on January 25 at the MILF Administrative Camp in Darapanan, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
Senator Riza Hontiveros, Senator Sonny Angara, and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito joined Zubiri in his visit, along with ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman.
From the Security Sector who joined the delegation were LtGen Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Commanding General of Western Mindanao Command, and MGen Arnel B. Dela Vega, Commanding General of 6ID.
Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, MILF First Vice Chairman, and BTC Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, 2nd Vice Chairman Ali Pangalian Solaiman, and other members of the MILF Central Committee welcome the lawmakers’ delegation.
Chairman Ebrahim said, it is a historic day, for it is the first time that such a number of senators came to Darapanan. In behalf of the MILF, he thanked Senator Migz Zubiri for filing, and sponsoring the Bangsamoro Basic Law crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
“Same words of thanks, and gratitude for the accompanying senators who are also equally supportive for the BBL to pass in the Congress,” he added.
Al Haj Murad said, “We are so impressed upon the gesture of President Duterte when he made effort calling Senator Zubiri during their meeting last week, and ask for the filing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law crafted by BTC”.
He also acknowledged the presence of the two generals (Galvez and de Vega), describing them as partners in keeping peace.
An emphasis was made by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim that the BBL is the fruit of more than forty years of struggle of the Bangsamoro people, mentioning a hundred thousand lives were lost, and billions worth of properties were damaged during the war in 1972 up to late 70s.
Chairman Al Haj Murad said, “The BBL is seen as a way to end the sufferings and destructions if it will be fully implemented.”
“BBL is the life of our people. BBL will ultimately be an instrument for a better life, and development, not only for the Bangsamoro but for the entire country as well,” he added.
The MILF Chairman said, “With the Committee now in the Senate, headed by our very own Senator from Mindanao, and with the support of senators who are with us today, we are optimistic for the passage of BBL crafted by BTC. Your visit today is already a manifestation of your strong support to the peace process, and passage of BBL”.
Chairman Al Haj Murad expressed the heartfelt thanks of the MILF Leadership, and entire Bangsamoro people, to the visiting dignitaries.
Senator Zubiri mentioned that his colleagues are all supportive of BBL-BTC version, Senator Sonny Angara, Chairman of Committee on Local Government, Senator JV Ejercito, a Senior Member of the Senate is one hundred percent, supporting, and promoting the passage of BBL, BTC version, Senator Riza Hontiveros, Member of the Committee on Minorities, equally supportive of the BBL- BTC version, and also Senator Franklin Drilon.
He said “The BBL crafted by BTC would be smooth sailing, not too much rough waters, In Shaa Allah”, which made the audience applaud.
“What is really needed in the Bangsamoro Region is a long term political solution achievable thru legislation,” he stressed.
He confirmed that he has withdrawn his own filed bill in favor of sponsoring the BTC-Crafted BBL. He also thanked the MILF leadership for the goodness the past years, for efforts against extremism, and for the rescue of civilians trapped in the Marawi siege, both Muslims and Christians.
“We also want to pass in the Senate, as much as possible the essence of the BBL version of BTC.” Senator Zubiri added. Further he said “let us thank our president, President Duterte for the opportunity to make this realized.”
‘It is really a historic day,” said Senator Sonny Angara. “JV is here, whose father, then, bombed MILF camps, but now JV is here, a good gesture, he showed, I think the past has healed”
Senator Angara said, they will support their vote, and intellectual to come up with a bill truly representing the aspirations of Bangsamoro, and the people of Mindanao.
“Peace is possible uttered Senator JV Ejercito, and repeated saying, “it is a historic day.” Today is the best chance we have to have peace in Mindanao in this administration of President Duterte.” He relates how Muslims, and Christians worked together to make their city, San Juan a success with their co-existence.
Senator Hontiveros began by saying “to the MILF Chairman, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, when you said BBL is the life of the Bangsamoro, I will never forget that, as we pursue with our search of the BBL”. She had also filed a Bill 1652, BTC Version of BBL. “Indeed,” she said “this is a historic day, full of hope for the imminent passage of BBL version of BTC., in spirit and letter.”
ARMM Regional Governor manifested to leave his office for the sake of BBL, that for him, it’s the interest of the people that comes first.
LtGen Galvez, who has been saying that he is for the MILF, expressed that he will always support the Bangsamoro. He will be retiring this year, and said he will dedicate his life for the peace in Bangsamoro.
MGen Dela Vega said, they have manifested in their stay; they will be supporting every effort to ensure the welfare of Bangsamoro people, and rest assured their sentiments are very clear to them.
BTC Chair Jaafar in his concluding message reiterated the appeal that the Bangsamoro Basic Law crafted by BTC, not to be watered down. He is positive that a good life, and development await everyone. He enjoins everyone to help in attaining a peaceful and bright future for the people.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1179/members-of-senate-joint-sub-committee-on-bbl-visit-camp-darapanan--a-historic-day--they-said-
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