Mindanao leaders bat for Bangsamoro law approval

MANILA: In a “show of unity,” Moro leaders and their supporters met on Monday in a Grand Assembly organised by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to press for the immediate approval by Congress of the proposed Bangsamoro law aimed at helping bring just and lasting peace to Mindanao.

Ghadzali Jaafar, a senior MILF leader, said they expected to draw one million participants including Moros, Christians, businessmen and other concerned groups to the event which was attended by President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte.

In his speech, Duterte assured that he would call Congress to a special session to act the proposed law which he Insisted should BE “Inclusive” to Beneit all the people in Mindanao.

“There are one million of us gathered HERE today For THE irst Bangsamoro GRAND Assembly.thesearethepeoplethemselves speaking to President Duterte and other oficials that THE BBL BE passed soon,” said Jaafar, referring to the gathering held at the town of Sultan kudarat in Maguindanao.

Organisers said tight security measures have been imposed by government forces and the MILF to help prevent any untoward incident that would disrupt the assembly.

BBL stands for the Bangsamoro Basic Law drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, headed by Jaafar who already submitted the proposal to Duterte.

In turn, Duierte transmitted the BBL to Congress the measure which is to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity whose initial territory is to come from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Mujiv Hataman, the ARMM governor, assured that they would cooperate with its implementation once the law is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“We shall never be an obstacle to the attainment of the Bangsamoro homeland. We are one of the participants of the assembly,” added Hataman, referring to ARMM composed of the provinces of Maguindalao,lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi as well as Marawi City which has just been liberated from Daesh-linked terrorists.

Also attending the assembly was House Deputy Speaker Sandra Sema of Maguindanao who stressed: “By being there, I will be giving honour to the Bangsamoro people and the Bangsamoro heritage.”