Iqbal, Hataman warn vs. candidate who might bring back sufferings of Bangsamoro

Two Muslim leaders have warned against a candidate whom they said might cause the return of suffering to the Bangsamoro people.

"The leader we choose today is the leader whose hands depend on the fate of the Filipino nation and the Bangsamoro for the next six years or even more," Bangsamoro parliament member Mohagher Iqbal said in a privilege speech.

"We cannot support a candidate who will bring back the horrors of the past or not honor the sacrifices of our brothers," he added.

Iqbal said the voters should vote for a presidential candidate who was "a friend of the Bangsamoro people." 

"I can't wait for the day when we wake up one day that we are one, with one stance for one Bangsamoro," Iqbal said.

While Iqbal mentioned no name, Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman made reference to the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and the possible return to power of his family.

Marcos' son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is leading the presidential preference surveys ahead of Eleksyon 2022.

GMA News Online has sought comment from his camp and will publish its response when it is received.

"Ipapaalala ko rin: Madilim na kabanata ang diktadurya, lalo na para sa ating mga Moro. Maraming pinaslang at pinahirapan. Minasaker tayo," Hataman said in a statement.

"Maraming napilitang pumulot ng armas sa ngalan ng katarungan; maraming napilitang lumikas sa mga tahanan. Tutol ako sa pagbabalik sa kapangyarihan ng angkan na nagpasimuno at nakinabang sa pang-aaping ito," he added.

(I'd like to remind you: The Marcos dictatorship was a dark period for our country, especially to us Moros. A lot of Muslims suffered and were killed. We were massacred. Many of us were forced to take up arms in seeking for justice, forced to leave their homes. I am against the return of such a family to power when they were the ones who masterminded and benefited from these atrocities committed against us.)

Hataman said Vice President Leni Robredo was the best chance to prevent the return of the Marcoses to power.

"Tiyak kong ipaglalaban niya ang pangarap nating makatarungan, maunlad, at makataong Bangsamoro," Hataman said.

(I am certain that VP Leni for fight for our dream of a just, progressive and humane Bangsamoro.) —NB, GMA News