Rebels' surrender of weapons to make BOL successful —Andanar

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday said the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) can fulfill its purpose of bringing lasting peace in Mindanao if all of the firearms of Muslim rebels will be surrendered to the government.

"One of the ways to make this BOL successful ay ma-surrender na 'yung lahat ng mga armas ng mga rebeldeng Muslim sa buong Mindanao," Andanar said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"'Pag hindi kasi na-surrender ay meron pa ring threat na baka merong mag-alsa na ibang grupo o mga splinter groups na tinatawag," he said.

The Cabinet official said the main purpose of the BOL is to bring lasting peace in conflict-stricken Mindanao.

"'Yan naman ang gusto ng mga Pilipino, 'yung lasting peace in Mindanao kapag merong kapayapaan ay mas mapapabilis ang progreso ng bansa," Andanar said.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte witnessed the ceremonial confirmation of the canvass results of the January 21 and February 6 plebiscites on the BOL.

Two rounds of plebiscite were held for the ratification of the BOL and proposed inclusion of some areas in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte to the envisioned Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Plebiscite results showed the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi as well as Marawi City, Lamitan City, Cotabato City and 63 villages in North Cotabato.

Under the law, the new region will enjoy  expanded land and water jurisdiction, fiscal autonomy, increased share in national government resources, among others.

Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority took their oath of office before Duterte on Friday in Malacañang. —KG, GMA News