COTABATO CITY – (UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte said he would continue his discussions with long-time friend, the fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari, after the conduct of Monday’s plebiscite on whether or not the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) can replace the current autonomous region for Filipino Muslims in the south.
Duterte has placed importance on Misuari in the current development in the peace agreement with Moro revolutionaries, with residents in Moro-populated villages to cast their votes for or against a new law that would establish the law creating a new, and for the Moro guerrillas, a wider coverage of areas than the present autonomous region earlier established.
“First of all, though he’s not here but still he is a critical factor in the overall process of—not only Mindanao but the Philippines. And I refer to my good friend whom I respect very much also, Nur Misuari,” he said in a speech to begin his last campaign sortie before the plebiscite on Monday.
He said he would talk to Misuari “in the coming days as we agreed”.
“Sabi ko, hintuin, tapusin muna natin ‘to. Hintuin natin ‘yung atin [I said, let’s stop our discussion, let’s finish this plebiscite first. Let’s stop our discussion] then again we can resume after the Bangsamoro,” he said.
He did not give details on what transpired in their discussion and when it was held, but he said, “I would call out to him, extend my hand and friendship and peace, and I hope that we can strike an agreement that will also promote the interest of the MNLF and the rest of the Moro of Mindanao”.
He did not elaborate and proceded to discuss the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“God must be good to us. The fact that we have reached this point after so many years of negotiations and interruptions. We are here. Insha’Allah. God is great,” he said.
Duterte then gave out the cry “Allahu Akbar,” to which the crowd of local government officials and leading proponents of the law also responded with similar shouts.
He said the push for the law would not have been possible without “Allah” and noted “the fact that we were able to go to Congress smoothly, with a minimum of objections and especially those who are not from Mindanao.”
Duterte continued: “Three days from now, the people of the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cotabato City, Isabela [City], and parts of Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato will exercise their right to vote in a plebiscite that will not just address the injustices of the past, but also plot the course towards a brighter and more promising future for Mindanao.”
Leaders set the tone
Hours before Duterte arrived at past 5:00 pm on Friday, organizers allowed government, political and revolutionary leaders to talk on the law.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Friday expressed confidence that the BOL would be declared constitutional and would be accepted in Mindanao.
“The Bangsamoro Organic Law has been through a rough journey and acrid Constitutional scrutiny that should remove all reservations against its acceptance in Mindanao,” said Nograles, who belonged to the family that once contested Duterte’s dominance of Davao City politics.
The assurance of a strong law and messages of optimism marked the speeches of political and revolutionary leaders in the peace assembly here on Friday as some 1,000 proponents and supporters gathered at the compound of the regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Nograles said the presence of several Cabinet secretaries including former military generals who fought against the Moro guerrillas demonstrates the full backing and endorsement of Malacañang for the law that will establish the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The BARMM will replace the current ARMM, which does not include this city, even though the ARMM has located its regional office here.
The city’s leadership has raised its opposition to being included in the BARMM and, in all their campaign banners, city hall said it preferred to support federalism, also an advocacy of the President.
Sen. Miguel Zubiri, a proponent of the passage of the law in the Senate, said it took more than a year of discussions in the Senate and bicameral committee to pass it.
‘Most beautiful law’
“It’s the most beautiful law to come out of Congress, and I thank the Supreme Court for not issuing a temporary restraining order,” Zubiri said.
“With this new law, our political leaders would no [longer have to] beg for development funds because it is now automatic in the law to determine your destiny,” he said. “That’s why this law is an instrument of peace.”
MILF implementing panel member Marjannie Mimbantas said, “I call on the you not to focus on what it would bring to the Moro youth. But to endeavor on having our hopes and dreams realized.”
Pete Marquez, a representative of the business sector of the ARMM, said there would be no reason not to vote for it “because we are one Bangsamoro.”
Fr. Clifford L. Baira, who represented the Christian Churches as a leader of the Christians for Peace Movement, said the BOL was on track to be passed unanimously, citing public support declared by even Catholic and Protestant bishops.
“Sana itong lahat na pangako ay magiging tunay na pamana sa aming Bangsamoro. Ito’y para sa mga naunang nakikibaka at namamayapa na [I hope all these promises would turn out a real legacy to us Bangsamoro. This law is for those who have fought and to those who are not here anymore],” said Hashim B. Manticayan, a civil society representative.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila