THE decades-long insurgency and lawlessness in Muslim Mindanao is a consequence of our colonial history, which divided the Filipino people on the basis of religion, political and economic stature. The great divide between the Christians and Muslims have also been conveniently used by our former colonial masters and subsequent governments to legitimize the concentration of power, influence and wealth in a few who make up the ruling elite in the country.
The result is pathetically obvious: the clamor for separatism from our Muslim brothers who have been alienated and neglected due to long years of sheer poverty, neglect, violence and incessant conflict.
Attempts for peace
That insurgency in Mindanao is definitely rooted in old political, social and economic inequalities in the supposed land of promise. The glaring statistics have been studied and evaluated by past governments before this one. Several futile attempts have been resorted to in order to build and embed the basic political structures that would hopefully empower and enable Muslim Mindanao to hasten its economic development and subsequently allow for further social integration and inclusiveness. We had the Tripoli Agreement in 1976, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 1989, the Moro National Liberation Front-Government of the Republic of the Philippines Peace Pact in 1996 and now the Bangsamoro basic law (BBL).
Sadly, peace in Muslim Mindanao continues to elude us due to some events that have politicized the people and made the passage of the BBL an extremely emotional issue. The Mamasapano incident, recent scandals in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the 2016 election-driven agenda of some politicians and the continuous clan-led factionalism among the ruling groups in Mindanao have unearthed several, albeit mostly unfounded, doubts about the BBL being a starting point for peace.
Keeping the hope for peace
The reservations and questions have not stopped the international community, particularly peace advocates and even the investors, from encouraging and even pushing for the BBL or even a close variant of it, to be signed as soon as possible. According to them, the huge potential of the Mindanao region in terms of rich natural resources, sturdy manpower with a hunger for work and relatively cheap costs of living will remain untapped or even stagnant if the BBL is not prioritized.
Weaknesses of BBL
The fundamental objections to the BBL’s passage are mostly on the constitutional ground. Some lawmakers and legal commentators believe that the BBL submitted for congressional approval is unconstitutional, particularly the provisions on national sovereignty and territorial integrity. They argue that creating another autonomous region, or even a separate political entity like the Bangsamoro, amounts to a reorganization of the powers of government, thereby usurping the sovereignty of the Filipino people. As such, it necessitates a constitutional amendment. These concerns are central to the ongoing fierce debates, and, unfortunately, the two houses of Congress have no definite road map yet on how this can be moved forward. In the meantime, we have a depressing status quo situation in Mindanao—an area beset by poverty, violent crimes and societal disorder.
Difficult way forward
Peace can only be achieved if the government and all relevant stakeholders decisively get their act together, roll up their sleeves and go to work on this important piece of legislation. As time is obviously running out in terms of firm congressional action on the matter in the face of persistent controversies, a probable alternative to explore is the execution of a supplementary framework agreement containing some commitments on the part of specific government agencies—like the Executive department, the two houses of Congress and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in the interim—if only to capture distinct action points, like curing the alleged constitutional defects of the BBL, setting clear deadlines for such, designating responsible action parties and reiterating or delivering the key principles that will need to be stipulated in the BBL proper.
Basically, a documentation that the incoming government can build upon so as to make the BBL and Muslim Mindanao’s right to self- determination a reality.
The discussions around the passage of the BBL should not focus on its weaknesses and what it cannot achieve. Rather, it must be viewed as the only probable opportunity for bringing about positive change and lasting peace in a region that has been deprived for so long.
Truly, there is no alternative to peace. War should never be an option.
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1 comment
It’s ok. Better to err on the side of caution than open doors to terrorists thru the BBL.