Draft Bangsamoro constitution to be presented in ‘Independence Assembly’

MANILA, Philippines - A draft Bangsamoro constitution is slated to be presented before constituents of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in an “Independence Assembly” in General Santos City and other key areas in Mindanao on Sunday.

MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari said it would be inevitable for them to pursue the declaration of an independent Bangsamoro republic once Malacañang ends the1996 final peace accord with the MNLF and adopts the framework agreement for Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Speaking to reporters yesterday at his residence in Zamboanga City, Misuari said Malacañang has sent letters to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) seeking the end of all agreements with the MNLF.

“Philippine government is proposing the closure of our peace process and with the closure of the peace process that means Philippine government will do away with the series of peace treaty agreements and peace accord that we signed over a number of decades in our collective efforts with the participation of the OIC 57 member-states,” he said.

Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesman, said the Independence Assembly aims to hear the voices of MNLF members about their plans and actions.

“The bottom-line is the assembly would be peaceful without arms and in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and the United Nations Charter for self-determination, with UN observers around,” he said.         – With Roel Pareño