House suspends hearing on Bangsamoro bill, too

MANILA, Philippines — Just after the Senate suspended its hearing on the Bangsamoro basic bill on Monday, the House of Representatives Bangsamoro ad hoc committee did the same in deference to the killing of at least 30 elite cops in a firefight with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao.

The committee chair Cagayan De Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez said the panel suspended its 37th hearing on the bill that is executive session in nature.

He also said the panel might have to reconsider its deliberations over the bill that seeks to implement the peace deal between the government and the MILF.

“There is still no issue of trust. We’re still not sure if (the MILF) committed lapses or mistakes. But there has to be a reconsideration of the bill. This is something that will douse the enthusiasm of the people. We are still partners for peace,” Rodriguez said.

This after the panel approved the resolution filed by former military chief Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazon which called for the suspension of the discussoins on the matters of national defense, security and public order provisions in the bill for the succeeding Bangsamoro hearings.

In a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, MILF lead peace panel member Mohagher Iqbal confirmed the encounter involving MILF fighters. The firefight also involved some members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front, a breakaway of the MILF.

Iqbal said the firefight was a result of a non-coordination of police operation. The police commandos were in the MILF territory in a law enforcement operation against a wanted Jemaah Islamiyah member.