The
debate about the Bansanagmoro Basic Law is still continuing this was after the
Mamasapano clash happened last January 25. Forty SAF members died in the area
by the joined forces of the Moro Islamic Freedom Fighters (MILF) and the
Bansangmoro Freedom Fighters (BFF). MILF is undergoing a peace negotiation with
the government. While the government conducting an operation against the BFF.
Some of
the Filipino people believed that the MILF is not concerned with their
intention to gain peace in Mindanao because they had been involved with the
death of SAF members. Aside from that, the group doesn’t want to surrender their
members who had participated in Mamasapano clash. But the leadership of the
MILF denied the allegation that they are not sincere with their intention. They
emphasized that the government didn’t cooperate with their troops before they
enter into their territory. That was the reason why the incident happened. They
can’t surrender their warriors because that is against to their peace agreement
with the government.
Despite
of the appealing of many Filipino people that the BBL should not be pursued by
the government. President Benigno Aquino is still standing that BBL should be
passed by the Congress. He believed that this is the answer to attain a long
term peace in Mindanao. The President wants to pass it before his term will be
finished in 2016. The supporters of the BBL, including Muslim groups are appealing to the public. They emphasized
the importance of the BBL to stop any bloodshed. This is what they really need
to stop the war in Mindanao. They are already sick and tired of the chaos which
is happening in their land.
Even
AFP Chief Gregorio Catapang said that their soldiers are also wanted to stop
the war in Mindano. Being a front liner in the battlefield, they are the one
who knew that nothing wins in a war. The worse is many civilians are becoming a
victim of it. If ever, they don’t want to fight anymore if only peace should
prevail in Mindanao. For the AFP Chief, for those who are appealing an all out
war, they don’t know what they are talking about because they never experienced to become a
front liner on a war. Instead to call an all out war, why they should not aim
for peace?
But for
the critics of the BBL, this is not the answer to gain peace in Mindanao. They
firmly believed that the MILF is pursuing this because they wants to boost
their forces. Based on the draft of the BBL, the group will have their own
police force. It seems that they want to separate from the Philippines because
they have their own law. The critics have a doubt that the MILF has a strong
tie up to the Malysian government which they considered has a personal interest
in Mindanao. They emphasized that even BBL will be implemented, the chaos will
never cease.
They
critics of the BBL reminds us that the other rebel groups are against the BBL
because they have their own agenda. For example, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari has
been disgruntled because the government thrown the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM) in exchanged of their peace deal with the MILF. Plus, the fact that the BIFF and the Abu
Sayaff are also there. There is also a report that there is a new jihadist
group formed which called as Justice Islamic Movement (JIM). They are asking
the government and the MILF, how can they control those other elements to gain
real peace in Mindanao if ever the BBL could become a law?