Thorough review of Bangsamoro Basic Law sought

MANILA, Philippines - Congress should not rush in passing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as there are still provisions to be reviewed and clarified especially with the alleged misencounter between police commandos and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)  fighters in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, a ranking Church official said.

 

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said that government officials should thoroughly review the provisions of the BBL to prevent such incidents in the future which could jeopardize the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao.

 

"Dapat hinto muna, siguro pray muna to all those affected. Pero we do not have to rush the whole process ngayon. We should leave it to cooler heads to decide on what should take place now and also we should look at the bigger picture again," Ledesma said.

 

The prelate said that the incident which left 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and 11 MILF fighters dead should not derail the peace process. 

 

"Although this incident is unfortunate, we should not let the armed groups on both sides decide the course of the peace process," the archbishop said during the World Interfaith Harmony Week in Villa San Miguel, Mandaluyong City.