MILF, MNLF urged to compromise with Bangsamoro law

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers urged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to compromise with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

 

During the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL public hearing last Tuesday, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon reiterated the need for compromise between the Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples in the proposed Bangsamoro territory.

 

Biazon asked the representatives of the two Moro fronts if there is a possibility to reconcile their differences with the BBL.

 

The MNLF group under Datu Abul Khayr Alonto said that they fully support the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the passage of the BBL.

 

According to a report, Alonto signed an agreement with MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim to "continue working together to foster strong Unity, Solidarity and Brotherhood as one Bangsamoro people.”

 

Meanwhile, the MNLF group under Muslimin Sema are not against CAB and BBL but sees the former as a partial fulfilment of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and 1996 Fincal Peace Agreement.

 

“We will not set aside all that we have gained in the years of peacemaking. We can work on current legislative process to preserve the gains of FPA, if the CAB is converged and linked to two previous agreements," Sema said.

 

Ad Hoc Committee chair and Cagayan Rep. Rufus Rodriguez noted that under the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum, the MILF and MNLF could coordinate their movements toward just and lasting peace, as well as the peaceful resolution of their problems.

 

Representatives from the MILF, MNLF and leaders of the Federation of the Sultanates, as well as Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy President Amina Rasul were present during the public hearing on the BBL last Tuesday.

 

The MNLF faction under Nur Misuari failed to send a representative.

 

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