Keep an eye on Mindanao

A lot of people are saying that one, only one more major mistake and it would be enough to knock down the Aquino administration. For the moment, there is still space, if properly used, that can save his government. His advisers had better make use of this space. It has to do with the Bangsamoro Basic Law. 

But unreasonably stubborn as he is, Aquino has been quoted as saying that he will not give an inch. In his talk with legislators he told Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as it has been pledged under a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).       

“Uulitin natin, tuloy na tuloy ito. We repeat, there’s no stopping the BBL….”

With such intransigence Aquino once more is in collision course with his bosses – the people of the Philippines. A timeline has been set for the bill’s immediate approval.

This will be a disaster.

With the President determined to go for BBL, it is time for the other groups in Muslim Mindanao to step in. Why should one group of Muslims – the MILF – take over the region without other groups who belong to it as well?

One such group is the Bangsamoro Transformation Council. The group clarified it “is not a component of the so-called National Transformation Council (NTC). The BTC was founded and organized way ahead of the NTC. The BTC is prepared to assume a lead role in dealing with the Moro problem…”

They addressed the statement to Bayanko, a non-partisan group whose credo is an all inclusive movement for nation building. As a crowdsourcing movement, Bayanko is ready to pursue the dialogue with BTC. The statement came from Datu Benjie Andong and this column excerpts relevant parts are consistent with our philosophy of an all-inclusive solution to promote peace in Muslim Mindanao.

“The BTC viewed the BBL as an imperfect process now stormed by criticisms primarily for its exclusive attributes rather than being naturally inclusive. It is also viewed as not reflective of the real Moro aspiration for lasting peace. Since its inception, many believed the BBL is bound to fail.

“The biggest stumbling block is the constitutional infirmities contained in several of its basic provisions… It created more problems and divisions instead of offering a solution…

“The BTC adheres to active non-violence as the fundamental tool to achieve Moro recognition and eventually for lasting peace for Muslim Mindanao. Its advocacy is for inclusion of all people of Mindanao in the struggle to finally attain the ‘elusive peace’ in the Southern Philippines. BTC is not only working for the recognition of the Moro people, but also for the Lumads and all the other inhabitants of Mindanao to be recognized as citizens of this republic with fundamental and basic inalienable rights embodied in the Constitution.“

*      *      *

On the Fallen 44, the BTC said they represented the Filipino nation because six of the brave were from the Cordillera indigenous tribes and two brave Moro fighters came from Muslim Mindanao.

“The BTC supports any peaceful resolution to the Moro issue, but it stands firm against any form of deception. At present, there is no consistency and harmony among the contending forces in the Moro dilemma in addressing the Mindanao situation and P-Noy’s strategy only created further disunity.”

The BTC agrees with Bayanko the system must be changed.

With Muslim moderates organizing themselves, Aquino’s intransigence with the BBL will face a formidable opposition.

*      *      *

Recently, former President FVR has stepped in to help resolve the problem. Norodin Alonto Lucman praises him: “In times like these I miss FVR. I remember I signed up with Carmen Pedrosa’s petition to extend FVR’s term because I have that sinking feeling that after FVR and following Constitutional imperatives something terrible will happen in the way of sustaining the gains of FVR’s presidency. And it did - Big Time. It’s back to pre Edsa I syndrome….”

He quoted the former president when he told former Gov. Almarin Tillah of Tawi Tawi, “The AFP must act to save Mindanao from destructive politicians.”

It is not just Muslims Mindanao who are besieged by “destructive politicians.” So are Filipinos in the other parts of the country fighting hard to bring unity and a new order of politics and governance.

Bayanko’s position is all major sectors of society must have a stake in the system. The Aquino government took a divisive approach. The Yellow army against the others. The MILF against the others. We share the call for unity of Cardinal Tagle in his homily at the Edsa Shrine Mass when he said we must look at others like our brothers and sisters.

Bayanko recently received an offer to be part of Binay’s advisory council that it has immediately turned down. The same offer was made to Peping Cojuangco who is now supporting his candidacy.

We don’t know whether this offer has the approval of the vice president or is just a ploy to get Bayanko to support him in exchange for his commitment to change the Constitution.

Whether the offer is genuine or not, Bayanko wishes to state categorically that under no circumstances will it join an advisory council of Jojo Binay. It does not support any presidential candidate for 2016.

*      *      *

Things to remember: In a post on the website of Filipino e-Scribbles we are told the original Bayan Ko song was written in Spanish by General José Alejandrino, a close associate of General Antonio Luna.

The original title was “Nuestra Patria.“ The Spanish lyrics were originally written for the famous 1898 zarzuela “Walang Sugat” (No Wound) by Severino Reyes, and it expressed opposition to the United States Occupation.

From ex-DILG Sec. Jess Robredo, “It is not enough that a leader is good, more importantly, it is the people and the system that must force the leader to be good.”

*      *      *

MISCELLANY. Arturo Valdez, the famous Filipino who climbed Mt. Everest, visited this columnist to inform me of another worthy project: to make balangay building the symbol of the ingenuity of Filipinos and how this can unite us in our search for greatness through our past.

 His coffee table book on “Balangay” will be launched at 4 p.m. on March 5 at the National Museum.

 “Balangay” is the boat that ancient Filipinos used. Such a boat was excavated in Butuan dating as far back as 320 AD. Valdez, helped by the Bajaus of Sibutu and Sitangkay of Tawi-Tawi built a balangay using methods during the 14th century.