Palace to skeptical senators: Visit Mindanao to see change, hope
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. FILE PHOTO
With some lawmakers remaining skeptical of the promises of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Malacañang on Wednesday advised them to visit the region and interview those who are most affected by the government’s peace pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“It’s owing to the fact that we’re here in Manila. We don’t see the radical shift that happens in those people who are in those conflict areas,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a Palace briefing.
“You may not need to reside there but you may want to see the hopes and see why these people are very hopeful,” he explained when asked about senators unimpressed by the decommissioning of 145 MILF fighters on Tuesday.
READ: Aquino witnesses symbolic gesture for peace
The spokesperson explained that the laying down of arms was a “radical shift” for the MILF members “who have lived 20 to 30 years of their lives fighting.”
He said those living in Metro Manila do not understand the importance of the act of decommissioning since they do not live in a conflict area where there is a threat of violence. “In conflict areas…you always have a firearm with you,” he said.
An earlier Inquirer report said Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that while the initial decommissioning and turn over of weapons was a good confidence-building move, it wouldn’t have a big impact on the Senate’s decision on the BBL.
READ: MILF starts laying down arms
The BBL remains stalled in Congress despite the nearing elections.
“We continue to be hopeful that the BBL will be enacted,” Lacierda said.
He admitted that they will have to work on the shorter timeframe for the preparations for the plebiscite and the synchronization of elections in 2016. “That is why we need to hasten the [capacity] building of our Muslim brothers,” he said.
READ: No 2nd phase of arms, forces decommissioning if BBL is not approved
