NEWS




23November

BaSulTa Contact Group Works for MNLF-MILF Convergence and Bangsamoro Assembly

DAVAO CITY (November 19, 2017) – In an attempt to cascade the unity efforts between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the ground, the Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) Contact Group reached out to the MNLF remote communities with series of dialogue and peace advocacy on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the proposed establishment of Bangsamoro Region.

“Our objective in conducting series of dialogue with MNLF communities in the island provinces is to make people understand the contents of the new BBL and how it could harmonize with MNLF peace agreements”, emphasized Benhar Usman, an officer of BaSulTa Contact Group during the Training Workshop on Writing News and Peace Messages in Support of the MNLF-MILF Convergence in Davao City on November 16 to 18, 2017.

BaSulTa Contact Group is a local Non-Government Organization based in Sulu that engages local communities in the island provinces through Dialogue and Consultations on MNLF-MILF Unity and Solidarity.

In 2010, the powerful Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened the two fronts that led to the formation of Bangsamoro Coordination Forum (BCF), a platform for dialogue to iron out issues and concerns confronting the two Moro fronts. “This effort in the higher level would eventually unify them towards attaining peace in Mindanao. 

However, most of the ordinary people especially in remote areas are not aware of it. It did not go down to the community. 

It is very essential to communicate with the grassroots level to seek full support for Bangsamoro unity and solidarity, and the convergence efforts of the two Moro Fronts” Usman added. 

According to him, after a series of dialogue, people they talked to were supportive for the immediate passage of the BBL including a number of communities who committed to support advocacy for the news BBL. “This is why our group is doing its part to reach out to MNLF far-flung communities in the island provinces” added Usman.  

He lamented that the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was not communicated properly to the ground and suggested that the draft BBL should be translated into local dialects for the communities to understand, appreciate and support.

Meanwhile, Prof. Adzfar Usman, member of BaSulTa Contact Group suggested the conduct of another round of Bangsamoro Assembly in BaSulTa area.  

“Many Bangsamoro wanted to attend this upcoming historic event in Maguindanao on November 27, but most of us cannot afford considering the distance of the place.

Nevertheless, the Contact group officials assured their presence during the Assembly to show support to the unity of the two fronts and the immediate passage of the BBL.  

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) will spearhead the conduct of the said assembly as one of its “mandates”. It will highlight discussions on the proposedBangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) with the Bangsamoro people that would replace and expand the old set up of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The creation of BTC with members from the government and the MILF is stipulated   in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that the government and MILF signed in 2014.

The said assembly is expected to gather around, 1,000,000 people, said Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Information Chief, and Chair of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel.