‘God save this country in the future,’ says Biazon on BBL security provisions

A LAWMAKER on Tuesday warned of the impending perils of the security provisions stipulated in the Congress’ draft of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

During the second day of the voting of the house ad hoc committee on BBL, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon moved that provisions under Article XI on public order and safety be deleted.

Biazon particularly slammed section 14 which lays out the provision of creating a regional command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Bangsamoro entity and section 15 which allows the chief minister, through the Philippine president, to call upon the AFP.

The panel voted to reject Biazon’s motion to delete section 14, 23-12.

After the defeat of his motion, the lawmaker said: “I respect the democratic process. May I just be allowed to say: God help this country in the future.”

On section 15, the Muntinlupa City congressman said that it will allow the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro government to exercise control over the AFP.

Under Article XI, Section 15 of the proposed law, the Chief Minister can call upon the AFP for the following reasons: the suppression of lawless violence, invasion or rebellion when the public safety so requires in the Bangsamoro; to suppress the danger to or breach of peace in the Bangsamoro when the Bangsamoro Police is not able to do so; or to avert any imminent danger to public order and security in the area of the Bangsamoro.

Biazon’s motion to delete section 15 in Article XI was defeated during the first round of voting, 13-25.

However, it was deleted by the House panel after it was subjected to the second round of voting, 26-22.

Aside from the said provisions, other amendments pertaining to public order and safety in the Bangsamoro were approved: Zamboanga City representative Celso Lobregat’s motion that 10 percent of the Bangsamoro Police Force be composed of women and the motion of Magdalo party-list representative Gary Alejano directing the AFP to establish a unit, not a regional command, in the Bangsamoro.

Tuesday’s hearing on the Bangsamoro started at around 10 a.m. with 43 members present.

As of 6:30 p.m., members of the house panel are casting their votes on Article XII or Fiscal Autonomy. AC