Mindanao leaders express support for future Bangsamoro region

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Mindanao stakeholders believe legalizing the Bangsamoro region will be a key solution to end the decades long armed conflict in Mindanao as they call on Congress to fast track passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The leaders aired their calls following information that President Benigno Aquino III would be transmitting the draft basic law to Congress following a ceremony in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday.

Mindanao Business Council (MBC) Chair Vincent Lao in a statement hoped for the Congress' approval of the BBL and appealed legislators to set aside personal interest and consider the interest of the people not just in Mindanao but also in the country.

Some leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also expressed their support for the passage of the BBL with hope that it will bring genuine autonomy for the Bangsamoro.

“Let's hope it shall usher in a better autonomy for Bangsamoro. Otherwise, it becomes a mere exercise in futility, another experiment. Anything new must prove itself better than the old,”  said Abdul Kong Sahrin, secretary general of the MNLF central committee. 

Prof. Alih Aiyub, secretary general of the Bishop-Ulama Conference, said they welcome the submission of the draft law to Congress and expressed optimism that the approval would help in the peace building.

“We are hopeful that sustainable peace be achieved,” Aiyub said. 

Other Muslim leaderz hoped the last revision will truly reflect the sentiments and aspiration of the Mindanaons.

"The submission of BBL is a welcome development and I enjoin the Zamboanga City Muslim communities to be hopeful for the finality of the issue of Bangsamoro,” said Ismael Musa, city council representative for indigenous tribes. "However, let us also be reminded that Zamboanga City’s multi-ethnicity and its diversity are unique and this the MILF should respect as its constituents decide to be not part of ARMM and possibly of the Bangsamoro government,” Musa said.