FOR decades, the Philippines has been on a quest for lasting peace. While the country is spared from being left in turmoil, the lingering process also comes with debilitating consequences on the people and the environment in areas of conflict.
There have been numerous attempts in peace and development interventions, but the country has yet to see one that guarantees a lasting solution.
On Monday, July 17, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) turned over its draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to President Rodrigo Duterte, who promised to support it through the legislative process.
“I commit to support my covenant with you that I will support and husband this instrument as it goes in the legislator for its consideration. And there will be no objections of the provisions of all that is consistent with the Constitution and the aspiration of the Moro people,” the president said during a ceremony at Malacañang.
In return, Duterte assured Moro people that a Bangsamoro country will rise in Mindanao during his term.
“This will be realized while preserving and strengthening the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines,” Duterte added.
Duterte described the BBL as a manifestation of the shared aspirations of the Philippine government and the Moro people for a peaceful, orderly and harmonious nation.
“May this new entity be marked by good governance, equitable sharing of wealth and generation of revenue, and normalized, stable environment. We will achieve sustainable and inclusive peace and development in the Bangsamoro, Mindanao and the entire country,” Duterte said.
Mohagher Iqbal, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator, echoed the president’s sentiments as he described the BBL as the “the menu for solidarity and unity of this country.”
“If the Bangsamoro people are given the opportunity to rule itself and be given development, then they will succeed in this country,” Iqbal said.
Meanwhile, Duterte hopes that his promise of autonomy for the Moro people will persuade Filipino Muslims to reject the Islamic State (IS) group.
The president has already asked the Congress to extend his declaration of martial law in Mindanap as government forces still continue their operations to flush out IS-linked militants from Marawi City.
As of July 17, the death toll in the Marawi crisis has reached 540, with at least 405 terrorists, 97 soldiers and 45 civilians killed.
The BBL will go through a grueling process in Congress before seeing its passage. This ambitious undertaking requires resoluteness and political will from all parties involved.
The task is no doubt high, and expectations from every Filipino and international spectator is growing by the day. The tendency to transform the Philippines as a citadel of peace should be worth all trouble. (AJPress)
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