MILF vows to reject watered down Bangsamoro basic law

Chief government negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/www.opapp.gov.ph and INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it could not accept a Bangsamoro Basic Law that “may be constitutional but will not solve the Bangsamoro Question.”

The MILF said its overall objective has always been “to end tyranny, restore dignity and secure a bright and prosperous future for all in the Bangsamoro Homeland” but this would not be realized if it agreed to the government’s version of the draft BBL.

“The current government proposals will not restore dignity to a people who suffered tyranny and will not secure a peaceful and prosperous future,” the rebel group said in an editorial posted on its website on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the draft BBL that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission wrote might have contained unconstitutional provisions, which was why it was being fixed.

The draft BBL was submitted to Malacañang by BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal on April 21 and originally expected to be transmitted to Congress on May 5.

But for 61 days, it went under review by a Malacañang team.

“There must be some parts that may be considered as crossing the line. That was what we were warning them about,” Ferrer told Manila reporters.

Ferrer did not identify which provisions of the draft BBL would likely contradict the Constitution.

“It’s hard to point out the specifics because the details are embargoed at this point,” she said.

“…the OP’s comments on the BBL, which is essentially the position pursued by the GPH peace panel, dilutes the BTC’s text and have in many instances departed from the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its Annexes, which is the basis of the crafting of the BBL.

Moreover, the OP adopted a very conservative interpretation of the Constitution, which is a radical departure from what the government has been saying—and promised—that the flexibility of the Constitution would enable them to implement the FAB and its Annexes,” the MILF said.

The rebel group reiterated it was not going to renegotiate as the issues had already been settled.

The MILF also hinted that the government was not abiding by what it signed, which was why the draft BBL was being given the hard time.

“If both Parties only abide by these commitments, the process would really move forward faster and save them from some irritating moments in their current engagement. More importantly, the MILF will never renegotiate these settled issues,” the MILF said. With a report from Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao

 
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