MILF disarmament a must if BBL is passed - bishop

MANILA, Philippines — Congress should take into account the disarmament of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front members in enacting the Bangsamoro Basic Law, a Mindanao-based bishop said on Friday.

Malaybalay Bishop Jose Cabantan said there could be no talk of lasting peace Southern Philippines if the other party is still armed.

The bishop said the national government must make certain that the MILF members should surrender their weapons once Bangsamoro entity, which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is created.

"Papaano ka makikipag-usap sa mga tao in peace na may armas yung isa? Kahit lang yung presence ng armadong grupo last week sa isang community so ano ang effect doon sa community, natakot sila. They were traumatized," Bishop Cabantan told Church-run Radio Veritas.

Based on records, Mindanao accounts for the 80 percent of the two million loose firearms in the country.

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