Mindanao solons support peace deal

Carmela Fonbuena

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So far, there's no significant opposition to the proposed new Bangsamoro entity

MANILA, Philippines – So far, there is no significant opposition in the House of Representatives to the peace deal forged by the Aquino administration with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Unlike the divisive and unconstitutional Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) under the previous Arroyo administration, the Framework of Agreement is supported both by Muslim and Christian lawmakers in Mindanao.

Maguindanao Rep Simeon Datumanong, a Muslim, described the agreement as a “happy development.”

“The people of Mindanao, especially those affected by the conflict have been waiting for this happy development,” Datumanong said.

Zamboanga City Rep Isabelle Climaco, who was among those who had opposed the BJE before the Supreme Court, now supports the creation of the Bangsamoro region.

“BJE was a violation of the Constitution,” she told Rappler. The BJE was in the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) that was signed by the government and the MILF in 2008.

“The MOA-AD clandestinely included barangays and cities, dismembering our city. We were not consulted and expansion veiled in secrecy.  It excluded the Lumads who were granted ancestral domain by government.It was dubious and divisive,” she added.

Climaco said she supports the new peace deal and trusts that Zamboanga City will not be included in the new territory.

“We rely on OPAPP’s [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process] assurance to respect our stand for non-inclusion in the ARMM as manifested in two plesbiscites. We are for a peaceful settlement and support efforts to spur productivity on the Tri-People of Mindanao,” she said.

Climaco also called on government to communicate to local government units in Mindanao the “details of the accord to ensure transparency and consultation.”

Basilan Rep Jim Hataman-Salliman also said that the agreement is a “significant development” and “a qualitative leap to peace process.”

He is the brother ARMM officer-in-charge Gov Mujiv Hataman and vice-chairperson of the House committees on Mindanao affairs, Muslim affairs, and peace, reconciliation and unity.

Sulu Rep Tupay Loong, chairman of the committee on Muslim affairs, also told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he’s “optimistic” about the agreement. He said he believes that both camps are sincere in forging the peace deal.

“That made a breakthrough on the government initiative to stabilize the situation in the Muslim community. That is a big contribution to the stability of the internal security of the Republic of the Philippines,” Loong told the Inquirer.

Remember the divisive BJE?

The reception to the new peace deal is different from the highly divisive agreement forged during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The controversial MOA-AD, which sought to create a “Bangsamoro Juridical Entity” that expanded ARMM, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Bangsamoro will also expand ARMM under the new Framework of Agreement. But unlike in the MOA-AD, the teritories that will be included in the Bangsamoro region will be determined through a plebiscite.

The Liberal Party, through its party president Manuel Roxas II and Sen Franklin Drilon, had also opposed the MOA-AD before the SC. Both party leaders now support the new peace deal with the MILF, which is expected to be signed on October 15.

While he supports the peace deal, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr admitted the current 15th Congress might not have the time to draft a law.- Rappler.com

 

Read the full text of President Noynoy Aquino’s speech: Agreement paves way for enduring peace in Mindanao

Read the full text of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the establishment of the new autonomous political entity, Bangsamoro, that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

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