Gov’t peace panel members ask prosecutors to dismiss complaint

Former Senator Rene Saguisag. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Members of the government peace panel asked the Manila Prosecutors Office to dismiss the complaint for treason and inciting to sedition filed against officials and members of the government peace panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for pushing for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“There is no treason here. Where is sedition? To us, this is really a nothing case,” said human-rights lawyer and former Senator Rene Saguisag, counsel for the peace panel.

Named in the complaint are Government of the Philippines (GPH) negotiating panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, former GPH chairman Marvic Leonen who is now an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, GPH negotiating panel members Senen C. Bacani, Yasmin Busran-Lao, Mehol K. Sadain, former GPH panel consultant Zenonida Brosas. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles is also included in the complaint.

The panel’s counter-affidavit said they cannot be prosecuted for treason because a person can only be liable for treason if they levy war against them or adheres to their enemies by giving them aid or comfort within the Philippines.

“Treason is a war crime. It is not an all-time offense. It cannot be committed in peace time. The complaint-affidavit miserably failed to establish that the respondents either levied war against the government of the Philippines or adhered to the enemies by giving them air or comfort within the Philippine Islands or elsewhere,” their counter-affidavit stated.

The respondents added there was also no inciting to sedition.

“They [the peace panel] are helping our people find a solution to a long festering problem,” Saguisag said. He added an examination of the BBL would show that it is all about peace.

The counter-affidavit also stated that BBL is not yet a law and the possible prosecution of the panel hinges on the constitutionality of the BBL, which already has a pending petition before the Supreme Court.

“What I take against them was the fact that they filed a totally cockamamie, nonsensical suit to harass citizens trying to help give us people peace and a better life,” he added.

Also included as respondent in the complaint are MILF negotiating panel chair and the Transition Commission Mohagher Iqbal and members Datu Michael Mastura, Maulana Alonto, Abdulla Camilian, alternate negotiating panel member Datu Antonio Kino, Transition Commission members Ibrahim Ali, Talib Abdulhamid Benito, Pedrito Eisma, Raissa Jajurie, Froilyn Mendoza, Hussein Muñoz, Akmad Sakkam, Said Shiek, Asani Tammang, Timuay Melanio Ulama and Johaira Wahab.

Complainants include Buhay party-list Representative Jose Lito Atienza, Abakada Representative Jonathan Dela Cruz and lawyer Jeremy Gatdula.

The House Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law has already approved the measure that will formalize the creation of a new political entity to replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The new measure is now known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. TVJ

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