‘Peace deal won’t create Islamic state’

MANILA, Philippines - The Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) will not create an Islamic state in Mindanao.

Government peace panel member Senen Bacani said fears raised by Christians in Mindanao that they would lose their lands to Muslims once the new region is in place were unfounded.

“The Bangsamoro will be part of the Philippines, it will not separate from the Philippines. Bangsamoro officials will report to the President of the Philippines. The laws of the Philippines will apply to the Bangsamoro,” he said.

“The envisioned Bangsamoro government will not become an Islamic state but a secular one with a working democracy where everyone will continue to enjoy freedom of religion and freedom of expression. No rights and privileges as citizens of the Philippines will be lost to the Bangsamoro... including vested property rights,” he added.

He also assured Mindanao residents that land ownership would be respected under the new Bangsamoro region.

Bacani, along with Bangsamoro Transition Commission members Pedrito Eisma and Said Sheik, attended a public forum on the CAB in Lanao del Sur on Monday, which was participated in by an estimated 3,000 residents.

The public forum was held to update the people on the developments in the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Islamic state issue was raised through the streamers displayed in the town plaza in Wao town, the venue of the dialogue.

Wao has a minority Muslim population of 20 percent.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong III attended the forum and rallied the residents to support the CAB.

“The government is doing everything for the benefit of all Filipinos, Muslims or Christians, including the natives,” he said.

Bacani reiterated that the government peace panel signed the CAB with their MILF counterparts following the instruction of President Aquino that it must be within the parameters of the Constitution.