'Trust issues' reason JV withdrew Bangsamoro law authorship

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito on Wednesday cited trust issues as the reason for his decision to withdraw his authorship from the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In an interview on ABS-CBN's ANC, Ejercito reiterated that his withdrawal was not a "knee-jerk" reaction since he already had doubts on the constitutionality of the proposed BBL.

"I gave it a chance even if I had doubts. I wanted to show my support to the President because he thinks that this is an instrument to achieve long-lasting peace," Ejercito said.

Ejercito, together with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetanao, withdrew co-authorship from the proposed BBL following the bloody encounter between the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

READ: Cayetano withdraws authorship from Bangsamoro law

The senator believes that the clash was not just a "misencounter."

"I don't think it was just self-defense. For me it's a massacre," Ejercito said.

Ejercito said that he is not closing doors for the peace process but noted that the MILF should prove their trustworthiness.

He suggested that the MILF surrender and return the firearms of the 44 commandos killed in the encounter and turnover those who were involved in the clash.

"They have to show sincerity in peace by laying down arms," Ejercito added.

On the other hand, the MILF started an investigation on Wednesday on the said encounter at Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

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