Senators urge colleagues not to rush decision on BBL

MANILA, Philippines—While  they back an investigation into the bloody encounter in Maguindanao,  two senators  on Wednesday  cautioned their  colleagues  in the Senate “not  to rush  into  any decisions” on the  proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“Inevitably it will be affected somewhat but I urge our colleagues not to rush into any decisions yet. Just until we know what happened,” Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said  in a text message to reporters when asked if the encounter that  killed  44 policemen and eight  more rebels  could affect the passage of the  BBL.

At least two  senators—Alan Peter  Cayetano  and  Joseph Victor “JV”  Ejercito—have decided to  withdraw  their support for the  BBL.

“Mas maraming buhay ang nakataya at malalagay sa alanganin kapag nabasag ang kapayapaan na umiiral ngayon sa pagitan ng gobyerno at MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). Subalit, sa kabilang banda, dapat ay may managot sa mga buhay ng ating kapulisan na kinitil habang gumaganap sa kanilang tungkulin. Hindi ito dapat matulad sa nangyari sa marines natin noon na hanggang ngayon ay tila wala pang napapanagot,”  Escudero added.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, who signed  the proposed  BBL, said he would not withdraw  his support  for the measure.

“I’m not withdrawing. As I said, we have to continue the process. Hindi ibig sabihin  na ipagpapatuloy yung proseso ng BBL, we will sweep this under the  rug,” Aquino told reporters.

“I just think that it’s a gut reaction that we let go of the peace process right after this tragedy had happened. Magandang  pag-usapan  muna kung  anong nangyari,  imbestigahan,   charge  who needs to be charged (and) get to the  bottom of things…”  he added.

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Grace Poe, and  Teofisto Guingona III have  filed  separate resolutions  seeking to investigate the  Maguindanao carnage.

Poe said the Senate committee on public order, which she chairs, will start its investigation on the  issue  on February  6.

Senator Antonio Trillanes  IV, in an interview Tuesday, said  that despite the incident, the hearings on the  BBL  can still proceed  “independently and simultaneously.”

“However, should later on we would find out that some elements are involved that are detrimental or prejudicial to the continuance of the peace talks, then that’s the time we make a move. Let us not waste time; particularity the legislative window of the Senate is closing. We can proceed with caution interdependently and simultaneously,” Trillanes said.

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