MILF warns of lawlessness if Congress fails to pass Bangsamoro law

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has warned of dire consequences for Mindanao and the Philippines if Congress fails to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) even as it vowed to “stay on the course of peace” if the deal falls through.

 

At the House of Representatives’ third hearing on the Mamasapano debacle Wednesday, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Wednesday enumerated a handful of scenarios that might happen if the Bangsamoro bill remains a proposed piece of legislation until the end of the Aquino administration.

 

“First, we will miss the opportunity, and it’s been said that opportunity knocks only once. That opportunity will sometimes not come up again. Second, frustration will rise above normal levels. Uncertainty will give way to lawlessness in Mindanao,” he said.

 

Frustration over Congress’ failure to pass the proposed BBL, Iqbal warned, might worsen the peace problem in the South.

 

Discussions on the proposed BBL in Congress have been stalled in Congress following the Mamasapano debacle that resulted in the loss of lives of more than 60 individuals, including 44 Special Action Force troopers.

Aside from aggravating the situation in Mindanao, Iqbal warned of forthcoming uncertainty in the economy and international arena should the BBL bill remain stuck in the 16th Congress.

“We don’t know if the international communities, especially those involved in the infrastructures of the peace process will stay on or withdraw. I’m talking about the International Monitoring Team, the international contact group, International Decommissioning Body and many others,” he said.

“Finally, the economic growth of this country will be much affected. Investors will shy away,” Iqbal added.

17 years

The MILF executive said that the pursuit of peace had come at a high cost, with the negotiations lasting 17 years over the terms of four presidents.

Despite the grim scenarios he painted, the MILF executive said the MILF is determined to pursue the path of peace even if the Bangsamoro bill isn’t passed.

“Rest assured the MILF will continue in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao,” he said.

For her part, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the peace process should not fall through because of the Mamasapano debacle.

“Let's not make this a choice between justice and peace. It should not be an either-or situation,” she said. —NB, GMA News