Bangsamoro Peace Festival launched in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Academy of Political Management yesterday launched the Bangsamoro Peace Festival to help disseminate and educate Cebuano students of what Bangsamoro is all about.

The APM sees the need to educate Cebuano students about the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the issues pertaining to it.

The Bangsamoro is a proposed autonomous political entity within the Philippines. The proposal is part of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a preliminary agreement signed between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government.

Carlo Cabatingan, APM alumnus and organizer of the event, said they are aiming to immerse to people the culture and to give emphasis on the importance of Bangsamoro.

“We are hoping that more people would see Bangsamoro as important through several presentations,” he said.

Among the events in the festival are photo exhibit, cultural presentation, debate, and discussions.

“Na-feel man gud namo nga wala kaayo mahatagi og value sa country ang Bangsamoro and in this way we are showcasing it and its importance,” Cabatingan said.

President Benigno Aquino III submitted to Congress on September the draft of the proposed law. Aquino personally handed over the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

The Bangsamoro law will provide a legal framework for the final peace accord between the go-vernment and MILF, which was signed in March after 17 years of negotiations to end a 4-decade conflict in Mindanao.  Aquino himself is optimistic about the creation of the Bangsamoro within his term.

The crafting of the proposed law marks the next stage of the peace process that will open discussions to more public scrutiny once the full text of the bill is made public.  (FREEMAN)