The passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that many Filipino Muslims want to achieve is now uncertain as several lawmakers have already withdrawn their support. This after the bloody encounter of Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangasamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last month.
This is according to Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela, “I believe that the BBL, at this point, has reached a political deadend. It is like the BBL has been declared dead on arrival and has no chance of being resuscitated due to the slaughter of SAF personnel by MILF elements.”
He also added that, “The January 25 bloody clash between police forces and MILF rebels can be a major stumbling block to the peace process and could permanently derail the passage of the BBL, as he observed that several congressmen have already withdrawn their support for the proposed law, which is a prerequisite for the establishment of the Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).”
However, Malacañang asked the public to trust the MILF on its commitment to peace.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that, “Please do not let this unfortunate incident be used to derail 17 years of hard work and lessen our resolve for peace and justice. Let peace be our legacy. Let us be partners for peace.”