President Duterte is confident that the Bangsamoro Organic Law will be ratified in the upcoming plebiscite to help bring peace and development in Mindanao.
“I hope and I pray that something good will come out of the BOL,” the President said during the birth anniversary celebration of former political adviser Francis Tolentino in Tagaytay City yesterday.
“Though the plebiscite is forthcoming, we have every reason to believe that it would pass the people’s will,” he added.
The President signed Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to address the Bangsamoro’s aspiration for genuine autonomy last July.
The proposed territory includes the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, six municipalities of Lanao del Norte, 39 barangays of Cotabato, and the cities of Isabela and Cotabato, subject to the approval of voters in a plebiscite is scheduled on Jan. 21.
The President said he hopes peace will finally be attained in Mindanao, saying he does not want the next generation to inherit violence in the South.
“Sana magkaroon tayo ng kapayapaan because if not, mahirapan tayo nito. The last three years of my term maybe just to – we will dedicate to address violence. Napakamalas ko naman kung ganun,” he said.
At present, he admitted that the country was “sailing on rough waters,” citing the need to find a “solution” to Mindanao. He asked the public to rally behind the peace initiative in the South.
“Kasi ‘pag hindi, we cannot develop Mindanao, we cannot develop the source of our food, the food of our children in the years to come. And worst of all, we might be passing the serious problem of violence in this country. So kailangan po ‘yan and I would need the help of everybody,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
