MILF: Critics of Bangsamoro law 'adopting anti-people stance'

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) slammed critics of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), saying those who are against the measure are “taking an anti-people stance.”

MILF insisted that the BBL, one of the priority measures of the Aquino administration, would address the Moro problem that has caused the country to lag far behind its Southeast Asian neighbors.

“Solving this problem is solving the nation’s problem. The BBL is a menu for peace, development, and unity of this country,” MILF said in an editorial posted on its website luwaran.com.

“This is the reason - never mind the spoilers - that whoever criticizes the BBL is adopting an anti-people stance. The BBL is for the entire inhabitants of the Bangsamoro, be they Muslims, indigenous peoples or Christians,” it added.  

MILF said “the battle line is clearly drawn between those standing on solid pro-people and those harping on anti-people stances.”

“While we cannot generalize those anti-BBL views as outright anti-people stances, but this point in time, after all aspects of the BBL have been lain bare, it is extremely hard to distinguish views made out of conviction and those simply to stain the proposed law,” the group said. 

“The burden to discriminate them rests with the exponent and the people will judge,” it added.

MILF said very few Moros have expressed reservations about the proposed law, which will create a new Bangsamoro region with enhanced political and economic powers.

“Even MNLF Chair Nur Misuari is silent these days on the BBL. We do not expect him to come out openly for the BBL, but just to be mum on the BBL is already a sign of greatness in the offing,” the group said.

Misuari is the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front, a group that sought to create an independent Islamic state in the south. His group signed the Tripoli deal with the government in 1976, which led to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 1996.

Misuari has opposed a framework agreement between the government and the MILF that serves as basis for the BBL.

He said the deal violates the Tripoli Agreement and could spawn more violence in Mindanao.

MILF said it is surprised that most of the “negative rumblings” against the BBL “emanate from people outside the jurisdiction of the proposed Bangsamoro government.”

“Clearly the Moros are overwhelmingly behind the proposed law, including those in the island provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan,” the group said.

The BBL is still being deliberated in Congress.