BAGUIO CITY – No one among the 5 presidentiables have concrete peace programs for Mindanao but the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will still remain firm to its commitment to pursue the passage of the Bangsa Moro Basic Law (BBL) during the next administration, MILF Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said here Wednesday.
The MILF leader said that they are closely evaluating and assessing the programs of the presidentiables for Mindanao and as of to date, they have not yet seen an aspiring leader of the land who is as bold as the Aquino administration in pursuing lasting peace for the conflict-stricken Mindanao region.
“We will throw our support to those national candidates who will have the heart for the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao because the people are now tired of the age-old conflict that continues to hinder the development of the mineral-rich region. We have not seen any of them who have the concrete programs for peace and development,” Iqbal stressed.
For Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Iqbal said that it is obvious that his administration will follow the 6-pointpeace agenda of former President Fidel V. |Ramos which the MILF deems as a good advantage for them although Binay must still come out with clear details on how his administration will effectively and efficiently implement his plans for Mindanao.
In the case of Team Galing at Puso presidentiable Grace Poe, Iqbal claimed that her plan to pursue the peace process inclusive of all sectors in the region is the ideal situation but not the reality on the ground because it would be difficult for the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters (BFF), the Abu Sayyaf, the youth linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the lumads and the indigenous peoples with differing ideas and beliefs to immediately agree on the strategy for peace.
According to him, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will pursue peace in Mindanao but he has not outlined his concrete plans on how to effectively and efficiently undertake such plan once elected as the next leader of the country.
For administration standard bearer Mar Roxas, Iqbal said the MILF has not yet officially heard the position of the administration’s candidate except for the fact that he will surely follow the footsteps of the current leadership.
The passage of the BBL died a natural death after Congress of the Philippines failed to pass the priority administration measure at the close of their third regular session last month before lawmaker went on break in preparation for the May 9, 2016 general automated elections.
Iqbal said the realization of lasting peace in Mindanao now lies on the government to deliver its commitment under the previously signed political documents through the enactment of the enabling law that will establish the Bangsamoro region, thus, the MILF will patiently wait for that time to come in order for the tedious peace process to continue until the attainment of lasting peace that will translate to socio-economic development.
He claimed the MILF is willing to wait but the next leaders of the country must make concrete programs on how to work out the passage of the BBL during their term so that people will be able to restore their trust and confidence to the government that will pave the way for peace and development.
By Dexter A. See
