(Newsfeature) BBLand Filipinos at the crossroads

MANILA (PNA) -- Would you go to the troubled parts of Mindanao? Would you befriend an MILF member?I
bet most of you would answer No, or even No way! We cannot deny the
fact that many, nowadays, picture the conflict areas in Mindanao as a
dangerous place and the MILFs depicted as bad guys.Apparently,
the passage of the Basic Bangsamoro Law (BBL) would clear that picture,
as it is said to bring peace in the entire country as well as normalcy
in the lives of the Moros, the MILF combatants and their families. Recently,
the BBL is always in the news. As cool as it may sound like the BB in
BlackBerry and the ladies’ all-time favorite BB Cream, the BBL has a
deeper meaning and agenda. Its thrusts, according to the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) and the government of the Philippines (GPH) are
being misunderstood by the public. There
were many questions raised about the bill. Fears have been expressed. What will happen when the BBL is passed? Who will benefit from it? These
are just some of the many questions running in the minds of many Juan.
Some, on the other hand, don’t care at all, as it would take them time
to read the BBL draft. Thus, Filipinos are at a crossroads. Will you
support the BBL? Will you go against it?In
a dialogue Monday among the MILF, the Philippine Council for
Evangelical Churches (PCEC) and the GPH, the three groups expressed
their desire for the passage of the BBL. Each
agreed that all Filipinos, not just the MILF or the Bangsamoro, will
benefit from it. They also noted the common public misconceptions and
fully expressed why they think anti-BBL sentiments exist. Dissecting the BBL draftSecretary
Teresita Quintos Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process,
described that there are actually three groups currently existingand the
Stop BBL group, the Stall BBL and the Dilute BBL. She
said the Stop BBL group thinks that the said law is unconstitutional.
They believe that the MILF is not a sincere partner to the government.
Deles also noted that this group thinks that BBL will lead to
independence and entry of ISIS. The
Stall BBL group, on the other hand, wants justice for the 44 Special
Action Force (SAF) policemen who died during the January 25
anti-terrorist operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao after a clash with
members of the MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and
armed groups. Meanwhile,
the Dilute BBL wants to remove CAB provisions. Deles said reports on
the provision on Constitutional bodies, Bangsamoro Police and
P70-billion fund for BBL were without basis. So what is the GPH position on BBL?First,
she clarified that BBL was never rushed. It has undergone 36 public
hearings not just in Congress but also in Visayas and Mindanao,” she
cited, and continued that it has undergone more consultations than any
other laws enacted by the Congress. Also, she cited that President
Benigno S. Aquino III and his Cabinet fully support the passage of the
BBL. Other
supporters, according to MILF Peace Negotiation Panel chief, Mohagher
Iqbal, are the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
business community (Makati Business Club, Mindanao Business Council) 18
surviving members of the 1987 Constitutional Convention Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) growing support from other Christian churches
civil society NGOs and international community. As
for Iqbal, he said the MILF is pushing for BBL’s passage as this will
end the long-standing armed conflict in Mindanao. Human rights
violations, economic inequities, social and cultural discriminations
will be addressed in the BBL,” he said.He
noted that the law will end the suffering of the Bangsamoro people and
other inhabitants of Mindanao. There will be no more war between the
MILF and the AFP, thus, people will be more focused on livelihood and
basic necessities in life.Furthermore,
Iqbal cited that the BBL will foster harmony and unity since inclusive
representation and equitable sharing of resources will harmonize various
groups. Iqbal envisions that BBL will pave the way for more
inter-religious partnerships and dialogues. The BBL will also buy in
economic development in Bangsamoro, Mindanao, and the entire country.
Foreign investors will be attracted to invest in a peaceful country,” he
said. Allaying fears Both
the MILF and the GPH mentioned that one of the most feared results of
the BBL is with regard to the Shariah law. They clarified the Shariah
law will only be applied to Muslims, and will not be applied to
Christians and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). This also proves that
Bangsamoro will not be an Islamic state since there would be separate
courts for non-Muslims.The
rights (human rights, vested rights) will also be protected. The
Bangsamoro Parliament will also have reserved seats for settler
(Christian) communities. Iqbal
highlighted that now is the time to pass the BBL. Opportunity rarely
knocks on our doors,” he noted. Iqbal added that people will be
disappointed if this will not be passed, and the MILF’s effectiveness
will sink at the lowest level. He added that the MILF will not
decommission its weapons and combatants until the BBL is passed. Busting myths The MILF and GPH highlighted several facts, which, according to them, are commonly misunderstood by the publicand -- Bangsamoro will not have its own armed forces. The defense and security are reserved to the national government -- It will not have a separate police --
There is no automatic integration of MILF combatants to the PNP and
AFP. If they wish to apply, they will have to comply with the
requirements set by the PNP -- It will not have its own Constitutional Commission and -- It will not receive P70-75 billion on its first year. While
it is true that the Mamasapano clash brought much anger, grief, and
distrust, Deles said she thinks these were used towards one agenda – to
weaken the President. If
you don’t want the President to succeed, you would not want him to pass
the BBL, which could even become a big legacy,” she noted. She added the Anti-PNoy campaign, the original anti-BBL campaign as well as the 2016 electoral ambitions as other factors. While
the Constitution is very clear on the separation of the Church and the
State, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) expressed
its full support to the government and the passage of the BBL. The
PCEC envisions to help transform our nation. We call all parties to
make the safety of civilians their priority,” said PCEC National
Director Bishop Noel Pantoja. Former
PCEC National Director, Bishop Ephraim Tendero, stated that their group
firmly believes that if they are pro-peace, then they are doing what
God wanted, which is peace. The
BBL is set to undergo Committee hearings and the public is invited to
attend. As Filipinos are at the crossroads, Deles leaves the following
questionsand - Would you return to war or a continued pursuit of peace? - Would you choose bigotry or celebrate cultural diversity? - Would you heighten distrust or choose leap of faith?- Would you prefer the short term interest of politicians or the long term interest of children everywhere? (PNA)LAM/MCCARAYATA rel= href= and//www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=0