A sign calling for a “No” vote for the Bangsamoro Organic Law and Cotabato City’s inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is put up along a road in Cotabato City, on Wednesday. The historic plebiscite will be held today. (photo by Manman Dejeto of Mindanews)
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By TENG DATU
GSD-Cotabato bureau chief

TWENTY-ONE Roman Catholic bishops and prominent priests in Mindanao have openly thrown their support for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) even as President Duterte made a final push for a “yes” vote two days before today’s plebiscite.

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A sign calling for a “No” vote for the Bangsamoro Organic Law and Cotabato City’s inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is put up along a road in Cotabato City, on Wednesday. The historic plebiscite will be held today. (photo by Manman Dejeto of Mindanews)

Cotabato’s archbishop emeritus Orlando Cardinal Quevedo and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CPCP) president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles led the Roman Catholic church leaders in signing the statement, “The Bangsamoro Organic Law and Beyond,” to drum up support for the BOL ratification.

“As the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) draws near, we, Mindanao Catholic Church Leaders for Peace, wish to express our support for its passage with the following observations,” reads part of the statement.

The Mindanao bishops and priests concluded their joint statement with this: “With all our constituents in parishes and schools, we pray for a lasting peace in Mindanao–a gift and a task–that respects cultural and religious diversity, while acknowledging one God, Creator and Provider of us all.” (see full text of the statement on page 5)

The others who signed the statement were Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Davao Archbishop emeritus Fernando Capalla, Davao Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando, Malaybalay Bishop Jose Araneta Cabantan, Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas;

Marawi Bishop Edwin de la Pena, Mati Bishop Abel Apigo, Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, Pagadian Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, Ipil Bishop Julius Tonel;

Dipolog Bishop Severo Caermare, Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog, Tandag Bishop Raul Dael, and The Rev. Fr. Teresito Suganob of the Prelature of Marawi

Ateneo de Zamboanga University president Fr. Karel San Juan, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan president Fr. Roberto Yap, Ateneo de Davao University president Fr. Joel Tabora, Holy Cross of Davao College president Msgr. Julius Rodulfa, and Father Saturnino Urios University president Rev. Fr. John Christian Young.

Myla Leguro of the Catholic Relief Services also signed the statement of the Mindanao Catholic Church Leaders for Peace (MCCLP).

The Catholic leaders said the BOL addresses three “historical injustices” against Muslim Filipinos: the diminution of their ancestral territory; the threat to their cultural identity; and the loss of their political governance.

“After more than half a century of armed struggle, and countless peace negotiations, the BOL represents the mutual acceptance by both sides for the creation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).

“In this light, the BOL is more than just another piece of legislation; it is more significantly a peace agreement that involves the future development of Mindanao and the rest of the country. After many failed attempts, this may be the last concrete chance for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.”

Meanwhile, President Duterte on Friday made a final push for a “yes” vote to ratify RA 11054, otherwise known as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He described it as “the centerpiece legislation of my administration” and a “landmark law” that would “plot the course towards a brighter and more promising future for Mindanao.”

YES TO BOL. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Peace Assembly for the Ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City on January 18, 2019. Joining the President on stage are Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. (Robinson Niñal Jr./Presidential Photo)

A “yes” vote today and Feb. 6 plebiscite, he said, would end the 50-year armed struggle waged by the Moro liberation fronts and mark the beginning of  a “new chapter in our history” where every person “is treated with respect regardless of one’s ethnicity, gender, religion, or ideological leanings.”

“This landmark law was not built entirely from scratch. It echoes the aspirations and principles embodied in the past peace agreements with different Moro fronts. Indeed, it is a product of the blood, sweat, and tears of many great men who came before us,” Duterte said in a 35-minute speech at the Peace Assembly for the Ratification of RA 11054 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato, the seat of the 28-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) .

RA 11054 paves the way for the creation of a new autonomous political entity that would, upon ratification of the law, replace the Armm. (with reports from Carolyn O. Arguillas of Mindanews)

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