QUEZON City, Philippines (November 14) – Even before attaining the presidency, President Rodrigo Duterte already mentioned about achieving long-lasting peace in the southern Philippines as one of his priorities. Now, peace may be finally within reach as he signed an Executive Order for the establishment of a new Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
The EO expanded the number of members composing the commission from 15 to 21. The aim of the expansion is to give more representation in drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL. The BBL proposes a new autonomous region in Mindanao that would be known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, replacing the current Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The 21 members of the BTC will be composed of 11 members from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), inluding the chairman of the BTC. The other 10 will be nominated by the government. Three of the 10 will be from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), headed by their leader Nur Misuari.
Duterte have suspended the arrest warrants against Nur Misuari so that he will be able to participate in the peace talks. Misuari was held responsible for the Zamboanga siege in 2013 that killed 200 soldiers, rebels and civilians.
The president and Misuari knew each other decades ago, and promised each other that someday, they will be able to talk about peace in Mindanao. And finally, this promise may be close to realization. Misuari also said that if it weren’t for Duterte – who he “respects too much” – he would have just stayed put in the mountains.
Misuari said that he would help Duterte throughout his term and promised to cooperate in the peace talks with the government.
This country has witnessed decades of conflict in the Mindanao region but now, we might be witnessing the process towards its peace.
MILF peace panel chairman, Mohagher Iqbal appealed to the Filipinos to set aside differences and focus on achieving long-lasting peace in Mindanao.
The peace talks in the previous administration was halted when the Mamasapano Clash happened on January 2015 at Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao which led to the death of 44 SAF Members, 18 member of MILF and BIFF and five civilians.
The new executive order “would give hope for the early passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law” stated by Iqbal.
The Filipinos, especially our fellowmen in the Mindanao region, still hope for the long-lasting peace to be achieved. This could be the hope that we are waiting for.
(written by Jacob Isais, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)