MILF to pursue peace talks despite BBL’s ‘demise’

From the Daily Tribune (Feb 10): MILF to pursue peace talks despite BBL’s ‘demise’

The peace process in Mindanao did not die with the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) maintains its commitment to pursue negotiations with the next administration.

“The peace process in Mindanao did not die with the non-passage of the BBL. The Exit Agreement is not yet signed by them. Thus, this would require them to start where they have stopped: ‘as is, where is,’” the MILF said in a latest editorial over its Web site.

The MILF explained that the next government or the new administration can either refile the BBL or craft jointly through the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), most likely composed of new members from both parties, a new basic law but still pursuant to the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“There is no other way forward, except the government would resort to approaches outside of the parameters agreed by the parties. That would entirely be another story!” the MILF said.

The BBL was agreed upon by the MILF and GRP peace panels following the signing of the FAB and then later CAB.

The MILF enumerated four reasons behind the “death” of BBL in the 16th Congress. It cited the hatred, biases and prejudices against the Moros; the materialistic system that promotes monopoly in the Philippines; the support for BBL was weak, and, lastly, those going for status quo were stronger.

Among the clear bias and hatred against Moros was the Mamasapano incident where 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were killed during the launching of Operation Plan (Oplan) “Exodus” targeting Malaysian terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Amin Baco, alias Jihad, and Filipino bomb expert Basit Usman.

“The Mamasapano incident merely triggered the upsurge or had brought into surface the long-held biases, hatred, prejudices and fear of the majority populations against the Moros,” the MILF said.

“Those forces for change or those supporting the BBL, including the push exerted by President Aquino, are still weak as compared to the forces of status quo…which is very strong,” the MILF added.

The MILF also branded the lack of quorum in the House of Representatives as reason behind the non-passage of BBL is just an “alibi.”

While he consistently pushed for BBL, the President did not certify the bill as urgent measure. At the Senate, BBL was still under interpellation while at the House of Representatives the BBL was already in its final stages of the hearing.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/milf-to-pursue-peace-talks-despite-bbl-s-demise