MANILA: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday expressed its full support for the quick passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that seeks to provide a political solution to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao.
President Benigno S. Aquino III turned over on Wednesday morning the final draft of the proposed BBL to Congress leaders in a ceremony in Malacanang, the Philippines News Agency (PNA) said.
The BBL is part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March this year.
"Underlying CAB is the recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and their aspiration to chart their political future through a democratic process," it stressed.
AFP Chief-of-Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang said, "The AFP welcomes the announcement of the President that the BBL will be submitted to Congress this week."
"We believe that the successful implementation of the peace process with the eventual establishment of the Bangsamoro will provide the political solution that will end the four-decade conflict in Mindanao."
He said that the Armed Forces has always supported the Mindanao peace process knowing that the problem cannot be solved through a military solution alone, the PNA report added. (QNA)
