FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Presides Over the Joint AFP-PNP Command Conference.ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is concerned that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law would not be able to resolve ethnic rivalry between tribes in Mindanao.
The president said he wants to ensure that the proposed BBL would be able to cover all the issues of indigenous people so that problems will not arise the event that the proposal becomes law.
“Itong BBL tignan nating mabuti pero it is going on in Congress. Tumatakbo yan but ako prangka-prangka lang. Bobo ako diyan sa true sentiments pero ito ngayon nangangamba ako. Would it do well to mix it all in one pot? Meaning to say, kayo bang mga Jolojano handa na mamumuno ang isang Maranao kagaya ng ARMM ngayon?” said the president.
(We are looking into the BBL carefully. It is going on in Congress. It’s ongoing but frankly, I’m not that knowledgeable about the true sentiments. But this is now my concern. Would it do well to mix it all in one pot? Meaning to say, are the Jolojanos prepared to be led by a Maranao like how it is in the ARMM now?)
The government is set to talk to all the tribal groups in the region to discuss the possible set-up of governance under the BBL.
The president said he will talk to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and even the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
“I just want to see if everybody is treated equally and opportunity is also available to everybody, and the same standard, no favoritism. Yan lang. I’m pleading for peace talagang hinihingi ko sa inyo buong puso kapayapaan para sa lahat,” said Duterte.
(I just want to see if everybody is treated equally and opportunity is also available to everybody and the same standard, no favoritism. That’s all. I’m pleading for peace. I’m asking for it for the peace of everyone.)
Nevertheless this proposal has been met with opposition.
Among those who oppose is Sulu Gov. Abdusakurtan.
“Ang gusto namin federalism over BBL kasi tingin namin wala namang pinagkaiba yung existing regional government at saka yung gagawing Bangsamoro Basic Law kung mayroon mang pagkakaiba kunting-kunti lang,” said the governor.
(We want federalism over the BBL because we think there is no difference in the existing regional government and the Bangsamoro Basic Law. If there are differences, it’s only a few.)
The president said the government will address first the controversial contents of the proposal before passing it into law. — Rey Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue
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