Duterte bats for ‘inclusive’ Bangsamoro legislation

By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief

MAGUINDANAO — President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for an all-inclusive Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which will not only address the historical injustices committed against the Moro people in Mindanao but also include the rights and interests of the Indigenous Peoples and Christian settlers.

“It should be inclusive,” he said referring to the bill. “No one should be left behind,” he added.

“Wala dapat maiwan sa peace talks na ito. MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), Moro, lahat. Lumad dapat kasali. Dapat maibigay ang arrangement na acceptable sa kanila.”

As one of his centerpieces during his campaign, Duterte vowed “to work hard” for its passage.

“I will ask Congress to [hold] a special session just to hear you. This is sacred. This is very important,” he pressed.

Undersecretary Nabil Tan, the deputy presidential adviser on the peace process and the chair of the government’s peace implementing panel for the Bangsamoro, said the passage of the BBL is part of the implementing process of the signed Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.

He said the BBL forms part of the overall peace agenda and road map of the government to reach a full political settlement with the Moro groups in Mindanao.

“The deliberation of the BBL in Congress is part of the political and legislative tracks of the peace roadmap and that’s the commitment of the President,” he noted.

At present, the two houses of Congress have filed their respective bill for the Bangsamoro law.