UN hails signing of Bangsamoro Organic Law

(Eagle News)—-The United Nations on Friday, July 27, lauded the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, calling it a “landmark achievement.”

“The Secretary-General welcomes the signing into law of the Organic Law for Bangsamoro in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on 26 July, a landmark achievement on the road to lasting peace in southern Philippines,” a statement  released by the spokesman for UN Secretary General António Guterres said.

The statement said the Secretary-General also “congratulates negotiators for the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bicameral Conference Committee, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and civil society groups for their efforts.”

“The United Nations will continue to support the Philippines in the implementation of the law, and to help build the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as an effective conduit for peace, democratic governance and human rights,” the statement added.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday signed the BOL, making good on his promise he would do the same  48 hours after the proposed measure reaches his table.

The Senate ratified the proposed measure days before, on Monday, prior to Duterte’s State of the Nation Address.

The House of Representatives ratified it a day after.

President Duterte believes the BOL, which creates a Bangsamoro entity, is the answer to the problems besetting Mindanao.