Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao--- The 1st Brigade of Guerilla Operations, Inner Guard Base Command, National Guard Front, BIAF-MILF headed by Brigade Commander Hajji Tho Paduman hosted Advocacy on Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in this town on October 27.
MILF BIAF commanders and elements belonging to the brigade, MILF Political Committee officers and members, local folks, religious sector, women, and local political leaders attended the advocacy.
Abdulrahim Kanakan, a religious leader said, “As Muslims, we must perform first our religious obligation because it is the very foundation of our struggle.
“Let us strengthen our faith in Allah (S.W.T.), pray for his guidance in seeking lasting peace in our homeland”, added Kanakan.
Khairudin Anwar, a staff of Kalilintad Peacebuilding Institute, said “In our struggle to achieve right to self-determination, we cannot easily get what we want as there is a need to spend our properties and lives for the common cause.”
Anwar told the participants to be ready for the coming plebiscite, a crucial stage of our democratic struggle.
Moidjoddin Talusob, General Secretary of Federation of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organizations (FBCSO), said “We encourage our women to exercise their rights to cast their vote, and vote yes during plebiscite on January 21, 2019.”
“Our participation in the plebiscite is the key to the success of the BOL, Talusob added.
Busra Diliyuden, Deputy on Guerilla Operation, said “We have gathered today as a show of our unity and solidarity in support to the BOL, so let us overwhelmingly cast the yes vote on plebiscite day.”
Diliyuden told the BIAF field commanders and elements that they must obey the MILF leadership in sustaining peace in the community.
“We should implement all orders of the MILF Central Committee pertaining to the organic law so that the yes vote will win during plebiscite”, Diliyuden emphasized.
Esmael A. Abdula, Training Officer of Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute, said that the BOL when ratified will “bring the government to the people”.
“The organic law when ratified, the new regional government will pursue peace, and justice for all, and infuse development in our homeland. That is why we should oblige ourselves to vote ‘yes’ during the plebiscite”, Abdula added.
“Our affirmative votes for BOL are our legacy to the next generation.”
Abdula explained that the stages of Moro struggle underwent series of bloody wars and on-and-off negotiations that resulted to the signing of milestone peace agreements between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Moro revolutionary front in Mindanao.