OVER 50 members of nongovernment organizations in Mindanao gathered here on Wednesday and expressed their dismay over congressmen’s move in pushing for a substitute bill for the creation of the Bangsamoro territory. The group met at Balay Mindanaw in Barangay Bulua, and agreed to work in convincing Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District and other congressmen to restore the original proposal. Rodriguez is the chair of the House ad hoc committee that is endorsing the substitute bill. The Mindanao CSOs’ Solidarity for the Bangamoro Forum was held here with the support of Mayor Oscar Moreno and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and other Roman Catholic leaders. Myrna Aboniawan-Siose, head of the Voice Network of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Cagayan de Oro said a forum would be held in Davao City this July 24. There, she said, civil society leaders would reiterate their call for congressman to restore the provisions they deleted and amended in the proposed law. One of the convenors, Gus Miclat, said congressmen “mangled” and “diluted” the proposed law. Musa Sanguila, director of Panagdait sa Lanao del Norte, said Congress should allow the Bangsamoro to administer their own natural resources, expand the territory, and restore the Wali provision, among others. (nitz arancon)