‘Inclusive” southern peace talks

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte does his signature pose with (from left) Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Central Committe Chairman Yusoph Jikiri, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, and other guests who attended the Bangsamoro Assembly held at the Old Provincial Capital in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on November 27, 2017. (Photo by Albert Alcain/Presidential Photo- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao ---President Rodrigo Duterte will “work very hard” to address historical injustices committed against the Moro people, adding further that the southern peace talks will be inclusive.

“I plead to all Filipinos listening now to understand the problem,” President Duterte said in reference to the centuries-old Bangsamoro struggle.

The President was in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao last November 27 for the two-day Bangsamoro Assembly that started on Sunday (November 26).

The event, organized by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was attended by more than a million people that include high-ranking officials from the government, non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples (IPs), religious leaders, and representatives from other groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The assembly was aimed at drumming up support for the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s (BBL) immediate enactment.

For his part, Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said he is one with the Bangsamoro people.

“Pumunta ako dito hindi lamang upang magpakita ng simpatya at suporta sa inyo, kundi naniniwala po ako na kabilang ako at kasama niyo ako sa kampanyang ito,” ARMM Governor Hataman said. He reiterated his commitment to vacate his post when the BBL is enacted.

Several officials and sectoral leaders also delivered their messages of support for the BBL including 1st district of Maguindanao and Cotabato City Representative Bai Sandra Sema; Tawi-tawi Representative Ruby Sahali; Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu; MNLF chairman YusophJikiri; Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, OMI, DD; Bishop Noel Pantoja of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches; BTC Commissioner Timuay Melanio Ulama for the IPs; Datu Midpantao Midtimbang; and Aleem Ali Solaiman.

Murad Ibrahim, MILF chairman, said his group must now transition into a social movement. “From fortification of camps with arms, we venture into the development of our communities with new sets of learned skills and prepare the leadership from a revolutionary mindset into transformative leaders and managers,” Chairman Ibrahim said.

He added that the MILF will continuously push for the enactment of the BBL “because we are convinced of the justness and legitimacy of the Bangsamoro cause.”

Ghadzali Jaafar, first vice-chairman of the MILF, read the Bangsamoro Assembly’s. manifesto.

“We strongly appeal to the President to expedite the passage of the BBL,” he said, adding that the BBL is the Bangsamoro’s articulation for self-determination. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION - ARMM- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)