‘Peace is justice for all’: Aquino calls anew for passage of BBL

Drawing from the lessons of World War II, President Benigno Aquino III made another pitch for peace in Mindanao and appealed anew for the passage of a law that would establish an autonomous Bangsamoro region.

“Conflict can only lead to more suffering and misunderstanding, while solidarity brings widespread benefit. This is the same lesson that leads us to champion lasting peace in Mindanao, and to call for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL),” Mr. Aquino said.

The President led the 73rd anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan province, recognizing the heroism of the Filipino and American forces who fought Japanese invaders in 1942.

READ: Aquino, veterans mark ‘Araw ng Kagitingan’ in Bataan

A handful of surviving veterans and their families were present at the commemoration of the Fall of Bataan.

Following tradition, the President laid a wreath for the fallen heroes at the shrine.

US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa also offered wreaths at the shrine’s colonnade.

The Philippines and the United States were allies in the war, with hundreds of Filipino and American troops dying in the infamous Death March that followed the capture of Bataan by the Japanese.

Partners in peacemaking

Emphasizing that adversaries could become friends as shown by the strong relationship shared by the Philippines, the United States and Japan today, Mr. Aquino said “those who were once our enemies are today our partners in realizing a just peace for all,” referring to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has signed a peace agreement with the government.

“In coming together to foster stability in Mindanao, all the more are we able to widen the scope of opportunities available to our countrymen. In doing this, no one will be driven to join radical factions, terrorist groups, and others interested only in pursuing their selfish agendas,” Mr. Aquino said.

 

Mamasapano clash

“Two generations have already suffered due to the violence that has dominated Mindanao. Now that we are here, we will not allow succeeding generations to suffer the same fate. However hard our task may be, whatever challenges we may face, we will continue to pursue peace, because this is the way to obtain justice for all,” he added.

The peace process between the government and the MILF has been disrupted by a clash between police commandos and Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, on Jan. 25.

Forty-four SAF commandos, 17 MILF guerrillas and three civilians were killed in the fighting, sparking widespread public anger that led to the suspension of discussions in Congress of the BBL, delaying the passage of the proposed charter that would establish an autonomous Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.

Peace process blamed

SAF officials blamed the deaths of the commandos on the military’s withholding artillery support, which would have led to escalation of the fighting and ultimately the collapse of the peace process.

Angry over the deaths of the commandos, many lawmakers are threatening to vote against the BBL, citing many unconstitutional provisions.

The MILF says, however, that failure of the BBL to clear Congress does not mean it will go back to war. The peace agreement stands and it will negotiate with the next government, the group’s leadership says.

President Aquino is leading a vigorous campaign to save the BBL and end the four-decade conflict in Mindanao.

Responsibility for peace

“By commemorating this Day of Valor, we reflect upon the lessons of history, so that we may learn to never repeat its failures, and instead move forward together toward that which we seek to accomplish. After three generations, with the blessing of hindsight, we clearly know the causes that led to the world wars,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President stressed that “this generation has the responsibility of maintaining peace, and of continuing the pursuit of widespread prosperity.

“This is the vow that the Philippines makes, not only for the victims of past wars and violence, but also for present and future generations of Filipinos, and for the rest of our brothers and sisters across the globe,” Mr. Aquino said.

Seemingly alluding to the bias against the Moro people that has resurfaced following Mamasapano, Mr. Aquino reminded Filipinos that “despite our differences, we live in and share a single world.”

“The legitimate concern of one is a concern of all. This is the crossroads before us: Shall we help to solve problems while they are still small, or remain indifferent and face an even more formidable challenge in the future? I recall what my father said: If you allow others to trample upon the rights of your fellowmen, you have allowed the trampling of your own rights,” he said.

Need for unity

Mr. Aquino stressed the Filipinos’ need for unity.

“We are well aware: The trials we face as a country, even those we face today, are indeed serious. Among these are the dangers brought by pandemics, the disasters caused by climate change, and the spread of fear and violence by terrorists,” he said.

“If we fail to unite, many more opportunities will be wasted; many more lives will be claimed by chaos, and many more livelihoods destroyed by lack of understanding. The challenge is to strengthen our solidarity further, and tread a single direction towards the fulfillment of our collective aspirations,” he said. With a report from Tonette Orejas and Greg Refraccion, Inquirer Central Luzon

 

 

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