Thousands gather to support Bangsamoro bill

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Groups gathered in different places across the Philippines to rally behind the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as the House of Representatives ad hoc committee puts the measure to a vote on Monday, May 11. 

The committee proceedings – which will span 3 days – will determine whether or not the BBL will reach the plenary and also if each provisions will be maintained. (READ: LIVE BLOG: House committee votes on Bangsamoro Basic Law)

In Quezon City, police reported about 3,000 supporters marched from Sandigan Bayan to Batasan Pambansa to call for a BBL that is consistent with the spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Protesters stresssed the Bangsamoro government should not be weaker than the current Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, and Peace Panel member Senen Bacani were among the government officials present.

The proposed bill, according to Hataman, should not be a watered-down version.

“If the law is watered down and is weaker than the ARMM, then we might end up wondering in the future why the problems in our country have not been solved,” he said.

Peace march

Meanwhile, thousands joined a multisectoral rally in Cagayan De Oro City early morning Monday to call for the immediate passage of the BBL.

Members of religious sectors, civil society groups, and young peace advocates gathered to support the measure they believe is “one of the components that will bring peace to Mindanao.”

According to Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, the passage of BBL is important for the people in conflict areas in Mindanao as it is the “only viable, logical, and constitutional answer” to armed conflict, underdevelopment, poverty, and corruption that “mired efforts to reform the provinces of Muslim Mindanao.” 

“Our support for the BBL is deeply rooted in our firm belief that the underlying principle of its provisions is consistent with the spirit of the 1987 Constitution which clearly recognizes the need to enact laws that would ensure peace based on social justice and development rooted on the right of every people to human dignity and self determination,” he explained.

Balay Mindanao executive director Charlito Manlupig, an NGO that campaigns for peace and social justice in the region, also supported the passage of the BBL.

“The congress can change the language of the BBL, but it should not change the spirit of the bill which is expected to bring peace in Mindanao,” he said.

Manlupid added that legislators should find ways to keep the BBL spirit while looking for solutions for the provinsions considered unconstitutional.

Sectoral leaders looked forward to the enactment of the bill as it symbolizes the freedom of the people of Mindanao from poverty and underdevelopment. According to them, it is a direct result of 40 years of conflict between the Bangsamoro and the Philippine government.

‘Just like the Negros Island Region’

Peace advocates and members of civil societies also gathered in Bacolod City to push for the BBL passage. 

According to Cesar Villanueva of Pax Christi Institute, the BBL is a “big step in the right direction toward achieving lasting peace and development in Mindanao” but the ball is in the hands of the Congress.

“We have to convince them that the proposal is a good project for our brothers,” he stressed.

The BBL supporters in their community have been reaching out to Negrense legislators through letters and postcards “to convince them” to support the proposed law. 

Villanueva likened the BBL with the Negros Island Region (NIR).