LET IT FLY Peace advocates release a dove on Friday, the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro during the Women’s March for Peace attended by government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer (right), nuns, Muslims, artists and female police officers at Quezon Memorial Circle. RAFFY LERMA
Exactly a year after the government signed a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), President Benigno Aquino III on Friday announced the formation of a council of respected community leaders that would work for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), in a bid to save the peace deal left in tatters by the Jan. 25 Mamasapano incident.
In a televised address, Mr. Aquino named Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, former Ambassador to the Holy See and Malta Howard Dee, and youth leader Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman as those who would lead a National Peace Summit that would “deliberate on and discuss the BBL.”
READ: Tagle, Ayala lead Aquino-formed peace council
Mr. Aquino said these “citizen leaders known for their wisdom and integrity” would spearhead a national discussion of the BBL to help people understand the proposed autonomy law that would establish a new autonomous region for Muslims in Mindanao.
The council leaders will invite other “responsible and respected leaders” to participate in the summit, Mr. Aquino said.
“They will dissect the proposed law in a calm and reasonable manner that will not incite anger and hopelessness. This way, the BBL can be improved. They will write a report that will be made public, so that everyone may be informed, and so that more of our countrymen may understand the matter. In this manner, we will be able to advance a reasonable decision as regards the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” the President said.
“I do not pursue peace just to add to my legacy. What we are pursuing is a genuine peace that truly addresses the roots of the problems that led to violence. At this point in our history, I say to all of you: The BBL will make this a reality,” he said.
‘Invited’
Cardinal Tagle confirmed that he had been “invited” to be part of the BBL council.
He said the new body was not a commission. “No other details yet,” he said.
Tagle said Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, were also invited, but could not attend the initial meeting.
There were no immediate comments from Ayala, Davide and the others named by the President in his announcement.
Davide, head of the Truth Commission that Malacañang tried to establish in 2010 to investigate official abuses during the Arroyo administration but was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, is reportedly in Hawaii.
The draft BBL has been disparaged by lawmakers, including those who initially endorsed it like Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, because of supposed unconstitutional provisions and its being lopsided in favor of the MILF.
It is already a race against time for the creation of the Bangsamoro autonomous region, which would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that Mr. Aquino once described as a “failed experiment.”
The government and the MILF have both expressed hope that the BBL would be passed before Mr. Aquino’s final address to a joint session of Congress in July.
Congressional leaders have agreed to pass the bill by June, before the adjournment of the second regular session of the 16th Congress.
ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING President Aquino gives the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) another push, this time by announcing on Friday the formation of a council that will review the BBL. RICHARD A. REYES
Mamasapano incident
Work on the BBL has been suspended after the deaths of 44 Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in a gun battle with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, on Jan. 25.
The SAF commandos infiltrated into Moro rebel-controlled Mamasapano to capture Malaysian terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Amin Baco, alias “Jihad,” and their Filipino associate, Basit Usman.
The commandos killed Marwan, but they were ambushed by rebels from the MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Justice for Islamic Movement and armed residents of Mamasapano as they withdrew from the town.
Critics of the peace process blamed the MILF for the bloodbath, even after the admission of the sacked SAF commander, Director Getulio Napeñas, that he deliberately bypassed the ceasefire procedures because he distrusted both the military and the MILF.
The MILF lost 17 fighters in the clash with the SAF commandos. Three civilians also died in the cross fire.
Baco and Usman escaped, and are now being hunted by the military.
READ: Mamasapano clash: What happened according to the military
READ: Third ‘high-value target’ also got away
In his speech on Friday, President Aquino stressed the importance of continued talks between the government and the MILF.
But he also pointed out that MILF leaders like Murad Ebrahim and Mohagher Iqbal are “not getting any younger.”
“There is no guarantee that those who will follow them will show the same trust and the same desire to lay down arms. Should we fail to pass the BBL, how can we urge their men to continue the search for peace? Should that happen, would it not be easier for the violent elements in their ranks to say, ‘See, negotiations and dialogue lead to nothing, our guns are still more powerful.’ Let us remember: The potential of two generations has been wasted because of conflict. Now that we are all here, are we going to allow the succeeding generations to meet the same fate?” Mr. Aquino said.
No celebration
The Mamasapano incident overshadowed the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Far from the pomp and pageantry of the historic signing of the peace deal last year in Malacañang, President Aquino made his televised address at a sleepy hour, 2 p.m., with only journalists as his audience at the Kalayaan Hall on the Palace grounds.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Undersecretary Rey Marfil and Director Jo Paulo Espiritu were the only Palace officials at the room where the President delivered his message.
The President warned that as the country moved closer to attaining peace in Mindanao, “the cacophony that aims to dismantle our trust in each other will also grow louder.”
“It is only right and prudent for us to prepare, for them not to succeed,” he said.
“I get to wonder now: Are the ones calling to put a stop to the BBL those who will be the most affected by the transformation that we seek to make permanent for the Bangsamoro? Perhaps their sole intention is to lord it over our countrymen once more, the moment that the old system is restored,” the President said.
Warmongers
Mr. Aquino also warned the public against people who were calling for an end to the peace process and were advocating an “all-out war.”
He stressed that there is nothing to gain from war, except more dead Filipinos zipped up in body bags.
READ: Aquino says PH stands to lose more if BBL not passed
The President recalled that during the time of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who waged a war against Moro insurgents, there were rumors that the blackouts were meant to conceal the arrival of the body bags and cover up the large number of casualties.
The four-decade Mindanao conflict has cost the lives of more than 150,000 people, the displacement of millions of others, and billions of pesos in economic losses.
“Allow me to emphasize once again: Violence cannot resolve violence; anger can never come to an end if it is also met with anger. Only compassion can put an end to violence. Only love can extinguish anger,” Mr. Aquino said.
“Is it too much to ask that Filipinos show compassion and love to their fellow Filipinos? No one can deny that if we attain peace the standard of living in the Bangsamoro will rise. And when one region rises, so does the entire country. Indeed, peace is the only path to our aspirations for inclusive growth,” he added.
Congress’ job
Commenting on the President’s announcement, two senators said Congress should first be given a chance to produce its own version of the BBL before the Palace-sponsored council went to work.
Other senators, however, had a positive view of the creation of the council, which they said could bring better understanding of the bill.
“However, before these eminent individuals would be given the chance to help in objectively communicating to all Filipinos the goals and the practical necessity of a political settlement toward peace and development in Muslim Mindanao, Congress must first be given the opportunity to come up with a constitutional version of the BBL,” Sen. Grace Poe said.
But Poe agreed that the citizens should be enlightened on the provisions and goals of the draft BBL, and also praised the people chosen to lead the council.
The respected society leaders could play a big role in ensuring public understanding of the measure, which could translate to support, Poe said.
“By having respected leaders of society analyze, suggest amendments if any and objectively present the BBL, the public may be more inclined to keep an open mind, understand and perhaps even support the measure,” she said.
Sen. Sergio Osmeña III said the education of the populace was always important, but the focus should first be on the legislators who would deliberate on and come out with the final version of the BBL.
“At this time, the priority should be the education of the members of Congress who are tasked to examine, amend and approve the BBL,” Osmeña said. With reports from Leila B. Salaverria and Tina G. Santos
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