MILF: No to war even if BBL isn't passed

From ABS-CBN (Jun 8): MILF: No to war even if BBL isn't passed

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it will never go to war even if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is not passed.

In an editorial that on Luwaran, MILF’s official website, the group assured Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that war will never be an option in their struggle for identity and justice.

“Mr. Senator, thank you for the reminder and discernment! Rest assured that we are on the same plane in the abhorrence of war. This is the reason that we agreed to talk peace since 1997 because, more than anybody else, we --- and those soldiers who served in the battlefields in Mindanao --- know exactly what war really is. People who are outside of the war zone can only imagine the horrors and devastations of war, but can never feel them. WE DID AND DO,” the editorial read.

MILF said the pursuit for peace will always “remain the menu.”

The group, however, reminded Marcos that the opportunity for peace is growing closer.

“It is on this basis that we appeal to you, Mr. Senator, to fast-track your process and come out with your committee report. You may have all the best intentions, because you want a good BBL, but time is running out,” it said.

The group dismissed criticisms that the BBL is being rushed. It noted the draft has been with Congress for nine months now.

It added that some are even using “weird approaches” such as filing sedition raps against peace stakeholders.

“This early we should realize that not everybody is happy with the change of status quo in Mindanao. Those in Luzon and the Visayas are not exempted. The reasons are diverse. Many are using the BBL for grandstanding purposes and for popularity of names,” the MILF said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/08/15/milf-no-war-even-if-bbl-isnt-passed