Complete Weapons Decommisioning
Pre-Condition To BBL Approval
Senator Chiz Escudero
is pushing for the inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) of a
detailed timetable for decommissioning of weapons and combatants of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure the smooth transition from conflict
to peace in Mindanao.
After the symbolic
turnover of 75 firearms and the return to the fold of the law of 145 combatants
last Tuesday, June 16, MILF chairman Murad Ibrahim said that additional
decommissioning would only commence if the BBL is passed.
Escudero, however,
said the MILF’s precondition only underscored the need for the Senate to
scrutinize the BBL and include a timetable that will detail the entire
decommissioning process.
According to
Escudero, the Senate will exercise its right and do its duty to thoroughly
study the proposed law, including the decommissioning process, to make sure
that the MILF will abandon its armed insurgency and shun other forms of
violence.
“Tama lang sa parte
ng Senado na pag-aralan at timbangin ang pagsama ng proseso ng decommissioning
sa panukalang batas para maliwanag at kwentas klaras ang pagsuko nila ng
kanilang mga armas at maliwanag na pagtalikod sa anumang karahasan o gulo para
isulong ang kanilang mga adhikain,” Escudero pointed out.
Escudero said the details
of the decommissioning process must be explicitly provided in the BBL to ensure
that the MILF will no longer have the capability to perpetrate acts of violence
after surrendering its forces and put all its firearms beyond use.
At the same time, Escudero
put to task government negotiators to explain to the public whether the
approval of the BBL was a precondition to the MILF's full decommissioning.
“Lahat tayo gusto at hanap ay kapayapaan. Na hinihimay at isinasaayos
ang panukalang BBL ay pagtalima sa paniniwalang 'yan upang maging mas ganap,
pangmatagalan at para sa lahat ng Pilipino ang kapayapaan na ating isinusulong
sa ating bansa,” Escudero said. /MP
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