By Nash Acan

July 9,2012: Huge number of participants from Mindanao, Sulu Palawan (MINSUPALA), Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and other places where Bangsamoro reside came to witness the Bangsamoro Leaders’ Assembly conducted at Camp Darapanan, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on July 6-9.

Leaders from the Moro fronts (MNLF and MILF),some government officials, and civil and civic groups attended the said assembly. They display their sincerity to support the claim of the Bangsamoro people for the Right toSelf Determinationin Mindanao.

MILF Chair Murad Ibrahim, Al-Hadj thanked the all sectors who responded the call. Above all, he asked more patience for the slow pace of the negotiation and assured the almost a million in attendance that the MILF exerts all effort to resolve the Mindanao problem thru peaceful means, but if times come that it’s of no avail anymore, they can’t help but to resort to more drastic means.

Members of both the GPH-MILF panels are present. The presence of the foreign dignitaries also elated the event. They areProf. Dr.EkmeleddinIhsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),AmbassadorSayedQassim El Masry, OIC Special Envoy for Southern Philippines, Dato’ Tengku  Al Gaffar, Secretary General of Malaysia.

The cruelty of the weather as the heat of the sun striking the open field, unfazedthe abouta million crowd to stay and lay down to hear the testimonies and speeches of the speakers. 

Officeof the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)Chair Jing Deles enunciated the sincerity of P’noy’s administration towards peace in Mindanao. "Sa tuwid na daan tutuparin ang pangako..satuwid na daan ang salita ay sagrado..,sa ilalim ni P’noy sya mismo ang namumuno gamit ang boung kakayanan at resources ng gobyerno at patina ang kanyang sarili para sa paghanap ng kapayapaan para sa boung bansa.” Deles said.

Dato’ Tengku  AlGaffar, Secretary General of Malaysiaunderscored the importance of Trust where everything must bound to begin. He hoped that both panels would demonstrate trust so that they could reach a formidable agreement.

The second day of the program is allotted for the dialogue of the Bangsamoro leaders to solicit opinion and thereby forge a consensus among them.

Among others, Maguindanao Representatives Bai Sandra A. Sema (1st District), Simeon A. Datumanong (2nd district), former congressman DidagenDilangalen,Maguindanao Vice Governor Datu Dustin Mastura, Councilor Hadji Abdullah Andang of Cotabato City, Atty. Omar Sema, ARMM RLA Assemblywoman Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, North Cotabato 1st district Congressman Jesus Sacdalan, some mayors of Maguindanao and North Cotabato attended the Assembly. All of them expressed strong and unconditional support to the on going peace process between the GPH and MILF.

International Non Government Organizations from Saudi Arabia, Japan, Switzerland, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey are also present all through out the program to witness the program. 

Media sectors both from local and international outlets also present to cover the assembly.