President Duterte has lauded the successful ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law during the recent plebiscite, saying it was “one of the great developments” to happen in the country.
In his visit to Maguindanao Monday, the President urged the residents of the envisioned autonomous region to work with government in sustaining peace and development in their community.
“During the three years, one of the great developments that happened in this country is itong BOL. I’m glad that it has succeeded,” Duterte said in his remarks. “I am inviting everyone here in Maguindanao to join us in government. Hindi naman akin ‘yan. Atin lahat ang gobyerno. Be a part of it,” he added.
Duterte, who pushed for the BOL approval to end decades of separatist conflict, also asked the public to drop their weapons and work towards keeping the peace in the new autonomous region. He added that it was “useless” to fight each other.
“Okay man yang armas mo, ilibing mo na ‘yan. Hindi mo kailangan. Isang putok niyan, gulo. Pero kung tahimik tayo, mag-usap tayo at maibigay naman gusto ‘yung tulong na dapat talaga sa inyo,” he said.
The Commission on Elections earlier declared that the law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was deemed ratified following the first plebiscite last month. The canvassing of votes in the second plebiscite only started Monday.
The Bangsamoro law seeks to replaces the decades-old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a new region with greater fiscal autonomy.
The President, in his remarks, has vowed to help keep the peace in Mindanao in the remainder of his term. “I have the remaining three years. I will dedicate it to a peaceful Mindanao,” he said.
After pushing for the approval of the Bangsamoro law, Duterte said he intends to talk next to former Moro National Liberation Front chair Nur Misuari to further advance the peace process. “Kung makuha ko si Nur, ung mag-usap kami at nakuha ang loob, medyo peaceful na,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
