DAVAO CITY: The first election for the new Bangsamoro region will be held in 2016 once Congress passes the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and the people ratify it in a plebiscite.
In a statement yesterday, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Teresita Deles said when that happens, President Aquino would name the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional government until the 2016 polls are held.
“Ending conflicts through peaceful dialogue requires the support of all stakeholders,” she said.
“We at OPAPP ask everyone to take an active interest in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which Congress has vowed to prioritize.”
Aquino has yet to submit to Congress the final version of the proposed law after a thorough review by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) panels.
Deles said it is part of the roadmap to “an era of shared prosperity and shared security” in the Bangsamoro and beyond.
“We open up Mindanao’s unlimited potentials to all Filipinos in an environment anchored on a just and permanent peace,” she said. However, Deles said more work has yet to be done.
“Experience has taught us that ownership is needed for peace agreements to be durable,” she said. “Working for peace cannot be left to government alone. Our people’s support and understanding will go a long way in defining and obtaining peace in Mindanao through the Bangsamoro.”
The Moro National Liberation Front (Mnlf) has deployed anti-aircraft missiles in their camps to deter any police and military action to arrest Nur Misuari.
An Mnlf leader, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles from the Middle East have arrived in Sulu and Central Mindanao.
“Any outbreak of hostilities will not come from the Mnlf but we will defend our communities,” he said.
Thousands of Mnlf fighters are now deployed in strategic areas in the mountain stronghold of Misuari in anticipation of a military and police offensive, the Mnlf leader said.
Mnlf spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla declined to confirm or deny the arms shipment, but he confirmed that the military and police are poised to attack the Mnlf camp in Sulu.
“Military option will only worsen the peace and order situation in Mindanao, the Mnlf and government are supposed to be at the negotiating table but government is preparing for war,” he said.
Fontanilla said any outbreak of hostilities in Mindanao could spill to other parts of the country, including Metro Manila.
“The Mnlf is always open for peaceful resolution of the Mindanao conflict,” he said.
The Philippine star
