BBL important part of peace efforts in Mindanao — military official

The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) may "negate frustrations" of insurgency groups in the Southern part of the country, which may later eradicate their attacks, said Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) Chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez on Thursday.

"If it (BBL) would not be passed, the frustration will be there. The passage of the BBL will negate frustrations of those members of the ISIS-oriented (groups) that you know... we're fighting for so long but nothing happens," Galvez said during a forum on violent extremism.

"If the BBL and the government can put down the... meaning to address Bangsamoro questions, I believe there is a chance that we can accelerate our fight," Galvez added.

Galvez believed that "the resolution of Bangsamoro questions is the long-term solution in achieving peace in Muslim Mindanao."

President Rodrigo Duterte had vowed that there would be a "Bangsamoro country" during his term.

It was last July 17 that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission turned over their draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to the President in a ceremony.

By September, the House of Representatives filed the draft BBL submitted to Congress by Malacañang.

The BBL is the product of the years of peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

At the same forum, Galvez also underscored the importance of unity as one of the means to stop all forms of terrorism in the country.

"There is a need to unite all efforts to win the war against Islamic extremism and terrorism in our regions. We must condemn the terror actions of international and local terrorist groups," he said.

"Peace can only be achieved if there is unity and harmony," he added. — BAP, GMA News