Manila Times/Makati
The impasse over alleged “alterations” in the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) may trigger a fresh conflict that could leave the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the losing end if their differences are not immediately settled, a political analyst warned yesterday.
Ramon Casiple said the two sides should promptly agree on contents of the draft bill to avoid further misunderstanding that may lead to the weakening of the MILF’s position as representatives of Muslims in southern Mindanao.
“The GPH [Government of the Philippines] and MILF have to agree on the concept of autonomy within the constitutional framework,” Casiple told The Manila Times.
He stressed that unless this is done, “both would lose”. But the MILF, he said, stands to lose more.
“The government will face a resurgent Moro rebellion. The MILF would lose more, their credibility and leadership of the Bangsamoro,” Casiple pointed out.
Earlier, chief government negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer admitted that certain provisions in the draft measure may be unconstitutional and that is why members of the government and MILF peace panels are trying to fix these loopholes.
Ferrer said both parties are looking for “alternative solutions” to these questionable provisions so that the draft measure, once submitted to Congress, will stand legal scrutiny.
Ustadz Pendie Colano, the chairman of the Selatan State Revolutionary Committee (SKSRC) of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), also warned that the delay in the BBL passage may cause more serious problems and put the entire Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in jeopardy.
“This is why we believe that president Benigno Aquino 3rd is not really sincere in what he was saying because it’s a kind of divide and rule tactic,” Colano said.
“What will happen if both the MNLF and MILF agreements will collapse? That would mean a serious war between the Bangsamoro forces and the Philippine government,” he added.
Colano said Aquino’s plan to have a Bangsamoro sub-state in place before he steps down in 2016 would not happen “because the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has urged the Philippine government to recognize only one agreement and that is the peace pact with the MNLF signed on September 2, 1996 in Jeddah”.
He noted that the major cause of disagreement between the government and MILF panels could be the surrendering of firearms.
Colano explained that MILF ground commanders are not willing to give up their sophisticated firearms.
“For the Bangsamoro fighters, if they surrender their guns and [ammunition], their lives would have no meaning at all,” he said.
Morohomsar Kidatu Gawil, the former 104th MILF battalion commander who split from the leadership of MILF Chairman Ibrahim Murad and now leads a 30-man group, said he cautioned his comrades not to trust the peace negotiations.
Gawil added that what happened to the MNLF led by chairman Nur Misuari is now happening with the MILF.
“In the end, the peace talks will prove worthless,” he told The Manila Times.
Gawil noted that Misuari was “isolated” when the government accused him of ordering the attacks in Zamboanga City last year.
“Misuari was elbowed out of the scene because Aquino wanted to rush the peace negotiations with the MILF under the leadership of Murad but look at the result, the Bangsamoro Basic Law has been delayed,” he said.
President Aquino
