Mindanao residents urged to speak up on Bangsamoro accord

By: 11 years ago

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza PHOTO FROM www.cotabatoprov.gov.ph

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—With details of how the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro would be implemented still to be spelled out, a provincial official urged ordinary folks in Mindanao, including those outside of the proposed coverage of Bangsamoro autonomous region, to voice out their sentiments on the matter.

But North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said she was by no means being a party spoiler by urging more people to speak up on the creation of the Bangsamoro autonomous region.

“We won’t deny our Moro constituents to decide what they want without prejudice to Christian communities. We want this to succeed, that is why we are putting forward our observations, opinions, concerns to guide Congress, (the Bangsamoro Transition Commission) members to come up with a (Bangsamoro Basic Law) that is implementable and acceptable to all,” Mendoza told reporters here on Tuesday.

She said that with more questions and observations raised, the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL would become stronger.

Particular issues must be cautiously checked and addressed by both the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and Congress, she said.

Mendoza said among the issues that need examination and inclusion in the draft law is that involving land conflicts.

“Challenges that must be addressed include land conflicts, especially those with overlapping documents issued by government agencies affecting public lands and ancestral domain and all those with genuine land titles because of a valid sale,” Mendoza said.

In a resolution passed in March this year requesting both chambers of Congress to take into consideration specific issues within the territory, the North Cotabato provincial board cited the ongoing boundary disputes among the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

“Procedures for settling such are governed by existing laws and should be examined. If these are not settled under present modalities, that issue would continue despite the passage of the BBL as other claimants would still insist on their respective claims,” the resolution said.

Hostilities would often erupt from land conflicts in the province, Mendoza said, citing last year’s clash between farmers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels.

Mendoza said issues such as individuals who have committed criminal activities including kidnapping, murder, cattle rustling, land grabbing, robbery, bombing and extortion should also be addressed. They should not be allowed to get off the hook just because of the peace deal.

“All those with criminal cases with valid warrants of arrest must face justice. Justice should be afforded to all victims of criminality,” Mendoza said.

In Buluan, Maguindanao, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said more interfaith dialogues should be held in cooperation with the Bishops-Ulama Council to foster greater understanding among the people of the future region.

Public cooperation can only be achieved when there is an “atmosphere of understanding” in the countryside, he said.

With a report from Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao