BBL cannot bring peace in Mindanao, says retired SC justice

The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) cannot bring peace in Mindanao, a retired Supreme Court Associate Justice said Wednesday.

Associate Justice Florentino Feliciano pointed out that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not the only armed group in Mindanao.

“Bear in mind that there are other armed Muslim and non-Muslim groups who have taken up arms-MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters), NPA (New People’s Army) etc. Thus, a peace agreement entered into by the Philippines with the MILF does not and cannot necessarily bring peace in Mindanao, regardless of what our peace panel ladies are insisting on,” Feliciano said.

Feliciano added that the comprehensive agreement between the government and the MILF in effect has recognized insurgency which is supposed to be punishable under the law.

“What took place when the meetings between the Philippine government and the MILF resulted in a comprehensive agreement was not recognition of belligerency. It was rather a recognition of insurgency of the MILF which has taken up arms against the Republic,” retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Florentino Feliciano said during the launching of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) journal on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

He explained that insurgency is rebellion and is punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

“It follows that rebellion is a serious offense against the Republic. Rebels, by definition seek to takeover control of the territory or part thereof of the Philippines,” he said.

Feliciano pointed out that the Philippine government seemed to be giving away some of its powers including control over natural resources.

“Think of the control of natural resources that will be vested and exercised by the Bangsamoro entity under the BBL that is normally vested under the Philippine government. The government must be prepared by all means even perhaps by coat of arms. [But] Philippine government appears ready to give it away,” he said.

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