PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte expressed hope that Nur Misuari, the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), would take part in drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
“We will try to pass the BBL. I hope Chairman Misuari can be convinced to join the talks,” Duterte said.
He added that Misuari’s inputs would be vital in case some of the provisions are contested by the MNLF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or other groups.
The BBL seeks to abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and replace it with a Bangsamoro region.
Duterte had repeatedly stressed the crucial role of the BBL in maintaining peace in Mindanao.
“Are we ready to fight just like the Middle East? Look at Marawi. If the area will be made into a larger area of conflict, you really think we would be happy to see war in our country?” he said.
“A communal war is more cruel and it would be better [to fight against] other bloods, but an internecine within is really very deadly. And that is why I said, the time for [BBL is ripe,] at the very least that’s the MILF is asking for,” Duterte added.
“If we cannot reach a settlement, I am in the middle. I will have a hard time. Who will I shoot? The soldiers of the Republic of the Philippines or the soldiers of the MI(LF) and MN(LF) and the rest of the revolutionary groups here?” he said.
“That is why it is very important that we get together. We will try to pass the BBL with no catch,” Duterte added.
The Senate and the House of Representatives passed their respective versions of the BBL in May.
The President received a copy of the draft Bangsamoro State Constitution prepared by a 19-member All Moro Convention.
Michael Mastura, president of the All Moro Convention and head of the drafting team, gavethe copy during the Eid’l Fitr celebration held at the SMX Convention Center on Saturday.
Another copy will be given to the Constitutional Committee that is is currently working on a federal Constitution.
He also encouraged the MILF, led by its chairman, Al Haj-Murad Ebrahim, to join and observe how the government is crafting federalism.
“If nothing really works out of BBL, then give us time because I do not want to fight. I do not wage a war against my own countrymen,” he stressed.
Duterte urged Murad to wait for the passage of the final version of the BBL, assuring him that what is not included in the BBL can be added in the federal scheme of things.
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Ilagay na natin (Let’s include it there). But it must be something like alongside the Philippine Constitution,” Duterte said.
WITH PNA