AFP douses fears of violence over stalled Bangsamoro law

MANILA, Philippines – Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr dismissed fears of violence in Mindanao as impatience grows over delays in the proposed law that will create and define the powers of the new Bangsamoro entity.

“We are still very hopeful it will be solved. We have reached a point that we all want a win-win situation…. That is the way things are. They are negotiating. Ganoon talaga kapag nag-uusap,” Catapang said on Thursday, August 7.

Catapang assured the public that there is close coordination between the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to avoid any “misunderstanding” that could disturb the ceasefire that has been in place for almost 2 years.

“[Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Rustico] Guerrero is talking with his counterparts. Ang sabi ko, kung gumalaw yung isang unit, mag-coordinate sa kabila. Tapos, kapag may movement sila, i-coordinate din para hindi magkaroong ng misunderstanding (I told them they should coordinate with the MILF if the units have movements. They should also coordinate with us if they are going to have some movements in order to avoid misunderstanding),” he said.

The military and the MILF, jointly, are in charge of the security situation until the Bangsamoro Police Force is set up.

The peace pact signed in March envisions a new Muslim region that will enjoy wider powers and autonomy. In exchange, 12,000 MILF fighters will give up their weapons and put an end to nearly 5 decades of armed rebellion. (READ: Real peace means the guns will have to go away)

Malacañang failed to meet its own deadline of submitting the draft bill to Congress in July. The MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines, is suggesting the government is reneging on its commitments after Malacañang lawyers supposedly deleted or revised “about 70%” of the draft bill. (READ: MILF still unhappy with status of draft law)

This sparked fears that peace talks could collapse and re-ignite encounters between government forces and the MILF.

The government and MILF peace panel representatives are in Davao for a fresh round of meetings.

Pressure is on President Benigno Aquino III who wants the completion of the peace process to become part of his legacy. With less than 2 years left in his term, he wants the law signed by December 2014 and the elections for the new Bangsamoro leaders to be held simultaneously with the 2016 elections. 

Lawmakers have expressed concerns they may not meet the Malacañang timeline if the Bangsamoro bill is delayed. – Rappler.com