‘BIFF factions helped craft Bangsamoro law’

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Moderate factions of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), were invited to help provide inputs in the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) confirmed Saturday. 

OPAPP Undersecretary Joe Lorena said only factions that were considered moderate were invited by the Congressional Committee on the Bangsamoro to help craft the law.

Lorena said those invited were mostly from Lanao and not from the hardline faction of Amir Umbra Kato.

“Even those in the BIFF, they have frictions,” he said.

Lorena said the Committee on the Bangsamoro did not specify any leader, but wanted all who wish to participate to do so.

 “After the consultation, some of the BIFF leaders gave their opinion about the Bangsamoro region. Some were supportive while others had reservations. I think Congress wanted to see an organized position of the BIFF,” Lorena said.

He said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had no hand in inviting the BIFF. He said the invitation came from the committee. 

Lorena said they have also invited representatives from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Nur Misuari, through its spokesman, who are not facing criminal cases.

Abu Sayyaf bandits were not invited, being outlaws faction, wanted not only by the government but also by the international community.