Autonomy for Muslim minority in Philippines is one step closer
Ellie
Aben, Arab News, June 04, 2018
Observers
note that the amendments made to the proposed BBL made the future Bangsamoro
region lesser than the current ARMM. There is now more uncertainty than
certainty about the acceptance by the Muslim community in the country.
note that the amendments made to the proposed BBL made the future Bangsamoro
region lesser than the current ARMM. There is now more uncertainty than
certainty about the acceptance by the Muslim community in the country.
 |
| In this photo taken on September 5, 2017 shows a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel (L) with face covered, along with a government soldier (R) manning a mobile check point in Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao province, in southern island of Mindanao. (AFP) |
MANILA:
The two houses of Congress last week passed their versions of the proposed
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), moving a step closer to the realization of
President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise of wider autonomy for the country’s Muslim
minority.
However,
while this can be considered the farthest reached in the peace process between
the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), no
celebrations greeted the passage — either at the House of Congress or at the
Senate — of their respective versions of what is supposed to be a
landmark bill.
while this can be considered the farthest reached in the peace process between
the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), no
celebrations greeted the passage — either at the House of Congress or at the
Senate — of their respective versions of what is supposed to be a
landmark bill.
Instead,
there is now more uncertainty than certainty about the acceptance by the Muslim
community in the country of the proposed BBL due to be finalized and signed
into law by the President next month. Some see it as the light at the end of
the tunnel, but others have expressed fear that it will give a platform to
radicals.
there is now more uncertainty than certainty about the acceptance by the Muslim
community in the country of the proposed BBL due to be finalized and signed
into law by the President next month. Some see it as the light at the end of
the tunnel, but others have expressed fear that it will give a platform to
radicals.
This is
mainly because in the approved versions of the BBL in both houses of Congress
important provisions of the original draft proposed by the Bangsamoro
Transition Commission (BTC) had been deleted. If not restored, critics say
“this will kill the essence of the Muslim minority’s self-rule.” The BBL, once
signed into law and ratified in a plebiscite, is expected to bring forth an
institution “capable of responding to the challenge of the times and to the
aspirations of the Bangsamoro, unimpaired and free of the maladies that have
afflicted the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).”
mainly because in the approved versions of the BBL in both houses of Congress
important provisions of the original draft proposed by the Bangsamoro
Transition Commission (BTC) had been deleted. If not restored, critics say
“this will kill the essence of the Muslim minority’s self-rule.” The BBL, once
signed into law and ratified in a plebiscite, is expected to bring forth an
institution “capable of responding to the challenge of the times and to the
aspirations of the Bangsamoro, unimpaired and free of the maladies that have
afflicted the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).”
However,
observers note that the amendments made to the proposed BBL made the future
Bangsamoro region lesser than the current ARMM.
observers note that the amendments made to the proposed BBL made the future
Bangsamoro region lesser than the current ARMM.
Manila-based
Imam Ebra Moxir, in an interview, said he remained hopeful that the bicameral
committee that will meet before Duterte delivers his state-of-the-nation
address on July 23 would make sure they come up with a final BBL version at
least close to the draft submitted by the BTC, one that is true to the
aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.
He admitted that there may have been some unconstitutional provisions in the
BTC draft of the bill, and the lawmakers had to amend these to make sure it
would not be problematic and will pass even if brought before the Supreme
Court.
“That’s from my perspective. In my view, our lawmakers were only making sure
that the end result will not be questionable, that everything is
constitutional. Otherwise, we will have a problem. Instead of moving onward, it
will be backward,” Moxir said.
Imam Ebra Moxir, in an interview, said he remained hopeful that the bicameral
committee that will meet before Duterte delivers his state-of-the-nation
address on July 23 would make sure they come up with a final BBL version at
least close to the draft submitted by the BTC, one that is true to the
aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.
He admitted that there may have been some unconstitutional provisions in the
BTC draft of the bill, and the lawmakers had to amend these to make sure it
would not be problematic and will pass even if brought before the Supreme
Court.
“That’s from my perspective. In my view, our lawmakers were only making sure
that the end result will not be questionable, that everything is
constitutional. Otherwise, we will have a problem. Instead of moving onward, it
will be backward,” Moxir said.
Moxir added
that he had seen posts on social media criticizing the BBL. Some of the
critics, he believes, have their own agenda, “so we have to show that they have
the wrong perspective and the lawmakers are right, that what they are doing is
for the morale and welfare of the Bangsamoro.”
that he had seen posts on social media criticizing the BBL. Some of the
critics, he believes, have their own agenda, “so we have to show that they have
the wrong perspective and the lawmakers are right, that what they are doing is
for the morale and welfare of the Bangsamoro.”
“Let’s
give the BBL a chance because if it will not be passed and implemented, I
think there will be more problems in Mindanao,” Moxir continued.
give the BBL a chance because if it will not be passed and implemented, I
think there will be more problems in Mindanao,” Moxir continued.
On the
other hand, Najib D., a Maguindanao resident, said a diluted BBL would surely
not get support from the general Bangsamoro populace.
other hand, Najib D., a Maguindanao resident, said a diluted BBL would surely
not get support from the general Bangsamoro populace.
“Any 20
or 30 percent non-support will be significant. Our lawmakers might be thinking
they will be able to resolve the problem with a diluted BBL, but no. You may
solve some problems but you create more problems in the end. A third of the
population is as significant as the two-thirds,” he pointed out.
or 30 percent non-support will be significant. Our lawmakers might be thinking
they will be able to resolve the problem with a diluted BBL, but no. You may
solve some problems but you create more problems in the end. A third of the
population is as significant as the two-thirds,” he pointed out.
“They
should have just considered the BTC-proposed BBL by voting yes or no instead of
amending it. Their approved bills turned out to be less than the ARMM in terms
of powers,” he continued.
should have just considered the BTC-proposed BBL by voting yes or no instead of
amending it. Their approved bills turned out to be less than the ARMM in terms
of powers,” he continued.
Asked
what could be the consequences, Najib said: “First, those who are already old
and are now tired of fighting, it’s possible they will just agree to it. But
with an unacceptable BBL, you also create another form of more radical, more
determined younger generations of mujahideens.
what could be the consequences, Najib said: “First, those who are already old
and are now tired of fighting, it’s possible they will just agree to it. But
with an unacceptable BBL, you also create another form of more radical, more
determined younger generations of mujahideens.
“You will
provide a platform for the radicals to advance their propaganda … So, these
people in Congress are not fully aware or have less understanding of the
problem in Mindanao,” he continued.
provide a platform for the radicals to advance their propaganda … So, these
people in Congress are not fully aware or have less understanding of the
problem in Mindanao,” he continued.
Najib
further lamented that the problem with some people in government is that they
see the other party in a peace process as an enemy. “So when an agreement comes
to Congress, they reduce the concession that will be given to the Bangsamoro.
In the end, you did not win anyway.”
further lamented that the problem with some people in government is that they
see the other party in a peace process as an enemy. “So when an agreement comes
to Congress, they reduce the concession that will be given to the Bangsamoro.
In the end, you did not win anyway.”
He
believed that even if final BBL is not acceptable to the MILF, “they will not
go back to war but they will not stop any factions from going in that
direction. Because if you do not have an agreement, the best environment is a
conflict environment.
believed that even if final BBL is not acceptable to the MILF, “they will not
go back to war but they will not stop any factions from going in that
direction. Because if you do not have an agreement, the best environment is a
conflict environment.
“This is
a time wherein Filipinos should come to their consciousness, either to choose
to create a nation that includes Muslims or run the risk of disintegration of
this country,” he further stated.
a time wherein Filipinos should come to their consciousness, either to choose
to create a nation that includes Muslims or run the risk of disintegration of
this country,” he further stated.
Meanwhile,
Dr. Potre Dirampatan-Diampuan of the United Religions Initiative said while the
Congress versions of the BBL have been watered down, “we cannot be totally
judgmental at the moment because there is still one step left” which is through
the bicameral committee. “That will be the finality of it all.
Dr. Potre Dirampatan-Diampuan of the United Religions Initiative said while the
Congress versions of the BBL have been watered down, “we cannot be totally
judgmental at the moment because there is still one step left” which is through
the bicameral committee. “That will be the finality of it all.
“Right
now many or some people think that there seems to be no difference between this
BBL now, especially the Senate version, and the existing ARMM. In other words,
if there will be no changes, why is there a need for a new law?”
now many or some people think that there seems to be no difference between this
BBL now, especially the Senate version, and the existing ARMM. In other words,
if there will be no changes, why is there a need for a new law?”
On
whether the BBL is the light at the end of the tunnel or will it provide a
platform to the radicals, Diampuan said: “That’s the powerful question … It
is more on the uncertainty than the certainty.” Diampuan said that she is
keeping her fingers crossed that the bicameral committee of Congress will come
up with a good acceptable version for the people of Muslim Mindanao.”
whether the BBL is the light at the end of the tunnel or will it provide a
platform to the radicals, Diampuan said: “That’s the powerful question … It
is more on the uncertainty than the certainty.” Diampuan said that she is
keeping her fingers crossed that the bicameral committee of Congress will come
up with a good acceptable version for the people of Muslim Mindanao.”
“That is
where we are crossing our fingers. As we cross our fingers, we pray that
something good emerges out of this conversion.
where we are crossing our fingers. As we cross our fingers, we pray that
something good emerges out of this conversion.
“I think
the word there is trust. It is really, really trust,” she continued, pointing
out that people in Muslim Mindanao should be given the chance to govern
themselves.
the word there is trust. It is really, really trust,” she continued, pointing
out that people in Muslim Mindanao should be given the chance to govern
themselves.
Asked
what she thinks is the worst possible scenario, Diampuan replied: “As we say,
peace is very elusive. But we will remain praying that peace may prevail in the
country.”
what she thinks is the worst possible scenario, Diampuan replied: “As we say,
peace is very elusive. But we will remain praying that peace may prevail in the
country.”
