MILF: Brace for ‘tough challenges’ in BBL deliberations in Congress

DAVAO CITY – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Murad Ebrahim urged the public to anticipate “tough challenges ahead” when Congress starts deliberating on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Murad said in a statement on Thursday that a stronger public support is needed when the BBL goes into the plenary next month.

“The road to peace will start to sail in a new track predicting a stormy way ahead. As this development breeds new hope, we must have to brace ourselves on the tough challenges ahead when Congress starts their interpellations,” Murad said.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to resume its sessions on May 15.

Murad made an appeal to all “peace loving constituents of this country, especially the Bangsamoro people to still hold on to the supremacy of the Peace Process and to continue their rally of support in pushing through the ultimate goal of the Bangsamoro for a meaningful Right to Self-Determination (RSD).”

He also maintained that the MILF was steadfast on its belief that the law should be passed and has to be consistent with previously signed agreements with the government, especially the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“Undiluted BBL will flesh out the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the signed comprehensive peace pact between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Government of the Philippines (MILF-GPH) in 2014 that will pave the way for a new political entity aim(ed) at solving the Bangsamoro problem,” Murad said.

He added that the MILF and the Bangsamoro people were grateful that the joint committee agreed to adapt the BBL version that was drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

The BTC is composed of commissioners from both the government and the MILF and is supported by a team of legal and technical experts.

The MILF also thanked the legislators who supported the move of Deputy Speaker Bai Sandra Sema to adapt House Bill 6475.

“To end, we are optimistic that both chambers of congress will still abide by the President’s directive earlier this month to expedite the passage of the BBL (as) forefront to federalism,” Murad said. /ee