By GENALYN KABILING
Another ruckus or “near revolution environment” might erupt in Mindanao if the bill creating the Bangsamoro region is not passed into law, President Duterte warned Tuesday.
Addressing the nation on the 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, the President said he hopes that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would be approved in Congress to avoid trouble in the south.
“We are talking with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). ‘Yung Bangsamoro is in Congress. I hope it will pass,” Duterte said in his speech.
“If it does not, then there’s going to be another round of ruckus there. I hope it would not again result to a near revolution environment,” he added.
Apart from the MILF, Duterte said he was engaged in dialogue with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari on the peace initiatives.
“Sabi niya, hintay lang ako kung ano ang mabuting pag-usapan natin,” he said.
The President recently certified the proposed BBL as urgent, allowing the two houses of Congress to pass their versions of the bill. Duterte said the approval of the BBL was a manifestation of the government’s commitment to address the diverse needs of the Bangsamoro people and other communities towards a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
A bicameral conference committee is expected to reconcile the Senate and House versions and submit the measure in time for President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address next month.