PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on the Peace Process (PAOPP) Jesus “Jess” Dureza on Tuesday, August 9, said the Moro rebels are ready to convene again to work on a proposed law based on the earlier Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
During a press conference at Apo View Hotel, Dureza made it clear that the new enabling law will still be based on the CAB.
“We are still working towards that direction of an all Moro assembly because we will leave the matter to the Bangsamoro to determine what they want from themselves in accordance with their very basic aspiration self-determination so we leave that to the Bangsamoro to determine for themselves what they wish to do, the government will be there to support,” Dureza said.
The CAB, signed on March 2014, concluded the 17 years of negotiation between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The new enabling law will not only cover the CAB, but also include the Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed in 1996 as well as the relevant provisions of the Republic Act 9054 or the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Law and the Indigenous People’s Rights Acts, according to GMA website.
Dureza said the new enabling law will be drafted by a 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission. Eight members will come from the MILF and the rest will be from other Bangsamoro groups.
If it will be acceptable in convergence it will be the start of working together as one to draft and enable the law.
“We have already to restart, we plan on taking advantage of an existing mechanism in the CAB which is the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, that is compose of 15 members, 8 to be composed by MILF Representatives 7 to be appointed by the government.” Dureza added.
Dureza said he finds beneficial to the peace process the convergence of the MILF and the MNLF-Sema group in a common formula for a lasting peace in the south.
He said, the new enabling law will hopefully usher federalism to the country.
President Duterte is an advocate of federalism, which he hopes the country will embrace before his term ends.
“During our meeting a while ago the MNLF group indicated that they are willing to be part of the BPC the government is going to appoint. The number will depend on where on what will be the final number of that BBL, peace and corruption (BPC)”. Dureza said.
When Dureza had a close meeting with generals they gave a clear commitment to come together.
“There was very clear commitment of convergence that they’d like to do, converge with an any of all group in order to bring an inclusive bangsamoro enabling law yung ang pinaka clear na commitment ng groupo nila.” (Karrah Cathrina Flores, UIC Intern)