MILF warns against 'diluted' BBL

MANILA, Philippines - A diluted Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would only legitimize radical groups and would worsen the problems plaguing Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has warned.

In an editorial posted on its website luwaran, MILF said there are aspects of the BBL that bear “adverse consequence” to the success of the whole peace process.

“Diluting the BBL is not solving the Bangsamoro Problem or Question at all. The problem will stay and perhaps it will worsen, even if the MILF folds its hands and allow chances to proceed,” the editorial read.

“The radicals and those who oppose the peace process will be given more legitimacy to pursue their hard agenda,” it added.

The MILF then asked whether the scenario should be allowed to happen because of the death of the 44 police commandos in Mamasapano last January 25.

“Are we sure that giving up the BBL would not produce more deaths and destructions in the future?  Do we want to perpetuate the way of war in Mindanao?” the group said.

The BBL will implement the comprehensive peace agreement signed by the government and the MILF last year.

Once passed, BBL will form a new Bangsamoro region with greater economic and political powers. The measure has to be approved in a plebiscite before it can take effect.

Congressional hearings on the BBL, however, were suspended after the Mamasapano clash, which left 44 Special Action Force troopers and 18 MILF members dead.

MILF combatants joined forces with the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters against the police commandos despite the ongoing peace talks with the government.

The MILF has asked Congress to pass the BBL without amendments but this was opposed by lawmakers who believe that the measure should undergo scrutiny in light of the Mamasapano incident.

The MILF clarified that it does not seek to intrude into the power of Congress to create laws.

“This is not to gloss over the plenary power of Congress over legislation, but rather it has to be taken in the context of an appeal to the higher sense of statesmanship of legislators -- in the exercise of their collective wisdom - to pass a good BBL,” it said.

The group stressed that the BBL is “the end product of 17 long and hard negotiations” between government MILF negotiators.

“The problem is political; it is to restore back to the Moros their right to govern themselves, which they lost when they were made part of the Philippines - against their will - in the grant of independence in 1946,” MILF said.

The group also defended the proposal to form a Bangsamoro Police, which it claimed, has a direct relationship with the decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants.

“It would be extremely difficult on the part of the MILF to undergo this decommission if the police in the Bangsamoro government cannot protect through infirmities in the BBL the limbs, properties, and well-being of the people of the Bangsamoro,” the MILF said.

The rebel group said the “disastrous effect” of “hostile” operation in Mamasapano highlighted the need for a Bangsamoro police that is professional, fair, non-partisan and civilian in character.