(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned of a war in Mindanao if the federalism and the Bangsamoro Basic Law bids fail.
Speaking at the launch of the Overseas Filipino Workers bank, Duterte said that the Moros–who have long experienced “historical injustices”— have, after all, already waited for the longest time for the promises given to them to be fulfilled.
“I can assure you, mamili kayo. Hindi ko na ma-control ‘yan and at this time, sabi ko, it would be a double whammy because my enemy would be their friends, and …what would that be? It’s the ISIS,” Duterte said, referring to the international terrorist group.
“Because sa panahon na ito, kung walang mangyari nito sa BBL ngayon or we change the Constitution or do not change the Constitution at all, there will be war in Mindanao. I can assure you, mamili kayo,” he said.
He said the war would be “on a bigger scale,” and would lead to “losses,” majority of whom would be civilians.
“So kayo, kung ayaw ng Congress, some say that it would be a trip to hell. Well, ako, hindi ako makialam kung ano lang ang gusto ninyo, sige. Pero pagdating ng panahon, adre, p****g ina, tapos na tayong nag-usap nito, sinabi ko na sa inyo,” he said.
Congress is on a deadlock in the manner with which voting should be done in a Constituent Assembly for Charter Change.
Under con-ass, members of Congress discuss amendments to the Charter.
The House of Representatives said that voting should be done jointly, but the senators in favor of the con-ass method said they would be rendered irrelevant if this was the case given their numbers, 24 vis a vis the House’s hundreds.
Some senators and congressmen are also in favor of amending the Constitution via a Constitutional Convention instead.
Under a Con-Con, amendments to the Charter are discussed by delegates elected by the people.