MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos should continue to support the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), President Benigno Aquino III said on Wednesday, just days after a bloody clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
“Mayroon na nga rin pong nagmumungkahing itigil ang pagsulong ng Bangsamoro Basic Law sa Kamara at Senado. Hindi po dapat mangyari ito,” Aquino said in his televised national address.
He said the peace process depends on the BBL, which will pave the way for the creation of a political entity – one of the agreements made by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
However, the recent “misencounter,” which left 44 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) dead, has supposedly tainted the landmark deal inked during Aquino’s term.
Some lawmakers already withdrew their coauthorship from the draft law.
“Kung mabibigo ang pagpasa ng batas sa lalong madaling panahon, mabibigo ang peace process, mananatili ang status quo,” Aquino said, adding that those who feel hopeless will continue to rebel against the government.
“Para na po nating tinulungan sina Marwan (Zulkifli bin Hir) at (Abdul Basit) Usman na maabot ang kanilang mga layunin,” he explained, referring to the two terrorists that were supposed to be arrested by the SAF.
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