Muslim solons urge House to support Bangsamoro bill
MANILA, Philippines—Twelve Muslim members of the House of Representatives urged their colleagues not to let the Mamasapano incident put off the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which will implement the government peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“We appeal to all concerned not to use the incident as a deterrent in our quest for peace, development and prosperity through the approval and ratification of the draft [BBL], a measure dubbed as an instrument of peace,” the Muslim solons said in a statement.
The call came at the heels of waning support for the bill that will create a more politically autonomous Bangsamoro entity following the MILF’s involvement in the clash that killed 44 elite cops.
The group said it supports President Benigno Aquino III for his commitment to approve the bill, set to be passed February 25 in the House and to be signed by the President by March.
“As representatives of the different Muslim political constituencies, we renew our commitment of support to President Aquino in his search for meaningful, lasting and sustainable peace, as we assure not only the concerned families, but the entire Filipino nation of our willingness to support any investigation or measure that shall give justice where it is due,” it said.
The Muslim solons are: Deputy Speaker Lanao del Sur Representative Pangalian Balindong, Muslim affairs committee chair Sulu Representative Tupay Loong, Basilan Representative Jim Hataman-Salliman, Maguindanao and Cotabato City Representative Bai Sandra Sema, Lanao del Sur Representative Ansaruddin Adiong, Sulu Representative Maryam Napil Arbison;
Lanao del Norte Representative Abdullah Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte Representative Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo, Maguindanao Representative Zajid Mangudadatu, Tawi-Tawi Representative Ruby Sahali, Sultan Kudarat Representative Raden Sakaluran, and Abante Mindanao Representative Sitti Turabin-Hataman.
The group also called for an independent investigation composed of the government and the International Monitoring Team in the peace process.
The congressmen added that they sympathize with the families and grieve over the loss of lives from the police commandos and the Moro fighters.
“We believe that in order to stop the tide of violence and strife, we as one nation must strive even harder to foster the principles of peace and unity, equality and fraternity for all… We plea to our people to act with sobriety in appreciating the facts and circumstances that led to the grim incident,” they said.
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