IN PHOTO- (left) MILF PIP Chair Mohagher Iqbal (holding the microphone), OPAPP Sec. Jess Dureza (center)-Courtesy of PEACE.gov.ph

Mindanao Barangay Officials Support BBL Passage

• Apr 24, 2018
• Al Iskandar, Luwaran
• HITS: 1189

Cotabato City- In a forum organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and Liga ng mga Barangay held yesterday at SMX Convention Center, more than 300 Mindanao Barangay Officials expressed their strong support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In an article posted online by PEACE.gov.ph, says that, Liga ng mga Barangay ng Mindanao Vice President Gerard M. Ramiro, in his opening remarks, said the group “fully trusts the wisdom behind the BBL and the development of the Muslim Mindanao being led by the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.”

Ramiro thanked the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) for involving the barangay leaders in the country’s peace work.

“Awareness and knowledge of history are the bedrock of commitment and common understanding to resolve the long conflict and aim for freedom in Muslim Mindanao,” he said.

“Through this, we now have a better grasp of the significance of the BBL in the development of Mindanao and the rest of the country,” he added.

In a resolution issued by the barangay leaders, they said that the BBL is “the only option left to end the bloodshed between peoples in Mindanao, the land of promise.”

In his presentation titled “Understanding the Moro Struggle in the Philippines,” Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal narrated the history of the Moro struggle, citing historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro that include loss of sovereignty, land dispossession, and massacres.

“Kailangan natin maintindihan ang nakaraan, upang maintindihan natin ang kasalukuyan (We need to understand the past in order to understand the present),” Iqbal said.

 In a video message, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza emphasized the importance of dialogue in the work for peace.

“Mahalaga na mayroon tayong pagpupulong tungkol sa trabaho natin at sa kapayapaan ng ating bansa (It’s important that we have discussions about our work and for peace in the country),” he said.

For his part, OPAPP Undersecretary Ronald I. Flores recognized the unwavering support of barangay officials in promoting peace in their respective communities.

“Alam naming hindi lubos na mapagtatagumpayan ang hangarin natin para sa kapayapaan kung hindi namin kayo kasama

(We know that we cannot fully achieve peace if you do not join us),” he said.

In his message, Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser Nabil A. Tan underscored the local leaders’ role as front liners in the peace process in the communities, calling them “very important partners.”

He also said they are the “greatest beneficiaries for peace.”

Also present in the event were the commissioners of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) who provided information on the BBL.

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