Palace: PNoy, anti-BBL generals had 'understanding' after meeting

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III and retired generals opposing the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) had an understanding after a meeting on Monday, Malacañang said.

Aquino met with members of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AFGO) at the Palace to thresh out their concerns regarding certain provisions of the draft BBL, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.

Coloma said during the meeting that lasted for more than two hours, both sides clarified their stand on the controversial measure, which was a product of the government's peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"Ang mahalaga dito ay nagkaroon ng  malayang talakayan. Naihayag nila 'yung batayan ng kanilang posisyon, iyong kanilang mga concerns. Naipaliwanag din ng pangulo kung saan nanggagaling ang posisyon ng gobyerno," Coloma said.

"At dahil nagkaroon ng malayang palitan ng pananaw, sa aking palagay ay mas nagkaroon na ngayon ng pagkakaunawaan sa magkabilang panig hinggil sa kanilang posisyon," he added.

Coloma said most of the questions during the meeting revolved around the implementation of the MILF decommissioning and normalization process, which was clarified in detail by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad also said the budget allocation for the proposed Bangsamoro region is based on historical need as reflected in the existing budget of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Also discussed with the AFGO during the meeting were lawmakers' proposed amendments to the draft BBL.

"At 'nung naipaliwanag  naman sa kanila 'yung iba't ibang mga probisyon na ito, nakita naman nila na tinutukoy ng mga mambabatas 'yung mga concerns na naipahiwatig na rin ng iba't ibang stakeholder groups partikular doon sa pag-address sa basic issues on constitutionality," Coloma said.

Coloma said Aquino and the AFGO thanked each other.

The AGFO published a full-page statement in a major daily newspaper recently on their position regarding the BBL.

Leading the delegation that met with Aquino were former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa and Edilberto Adan, former Philippine Army commanding general and Foreign Affairs undersecretary for the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Aquino was joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia and Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri.

Coloma said Adan maintained that "despite the reservations they expressed on provisions of the draft BBL, they fully support the government’s initiative to build enduring peace in Mindanao." - Louis Bacani