JV Ejercito quits Bangsamoro law over SAF ‘massacre’

Sen. JV Ejercito. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Another senator, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, has decided to withdraw his support for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) after what he described as the “massacre” of dozens of policemen by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“We condemn in the highest possible terms the recent deaths of almost 50-members of PNP-SAF (Philippine National Police-Special Action Force) and the crimes allegedly perpetrated by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” Ejercito said in a text message to reporters on Tuesday.

“Considering that such cowardly acts occurred amid finalizing efforts to attain lasting peace in Mindanao, it now led us to contemplate whether the proposed Basic Bangsamoro Law would really address the long-standing problem besetting Mindanao,” he said.

Ejercito said he had signed as a co-author of the BBL with the desire of giving it a “chance to be the instrument of peace in Mindanao.”

“What happened to the PNP-SAF troopers is not a misencounter but a MASSACRE!” the senator said.

He added, “I am withdrawing my signature as a co-author of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as a result of this carnage. My heart bleeds for our policemen who were mercilessly killed.”

Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano was the first to withdraw Monday his co-sponsorship of the BBL as he strongly condemned the recent attack against the government forces.

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