Palace expects MILF to accept possible BBL amendments

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang expects the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to accept possible revisions in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) due to the Mamasapano tragedy.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said lawmakers have the right and duty to examine the BBL thoroughly to ensure its constitutionality.

Coloma said the MILF is expected to understand that introducing amendments to the proposed BBL is part of the lawmaking process.

"Batid po natin na yung legislative process involves process of review, process of proposing amendments. At ito ay kasama naman sa dynamics ng political process sa pagsasagawa ng anumang batas," Coloma said.

"Kaya inaasahan naman natin na ito ay kikilalanin at nauunawaan ng lahat ng panig na merong sangkot dito sa prosesong pangkapayapaan," he added.

The fate of the BBL now hangs in the balance following the deaths of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) in the hands of the MILF fighters.

The SAF troopers were out to arrest Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and his Filipino cohort, Basit Usman. The covert police operation, however, led to an armed encounter with the MILF and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The BBL hearings in the House of Representatives were suspended after the Mamasapano tragedy.

Some lawmakers are planning to introduce revisions to the BBL even if the MILF leadership reportedly wants its current version to be already passed into law.

The BBL will serve as the enabling law for the creation of the new political entity in Muslim Mindanao, which is the result of the peace agreement between the national government and the MILF.

President Aquino had warned lawmakers that violence will only continue in Mindanao if the BBL will be abandoned.

At least two senators have withdrawn their support for the BBL following the Mamamsapano incident.

Malacañang said it continues to work with lawmakers for the passage of the controversial measure.

"Patuloy na nakikipagugnayan ang sangay ng ehekutibo sa ating lehislatura tungo sa pagtahak ng daan na hahantong sa pangmatagalang kapayaapaan, sa harap ng mga usapin at hamong bunsod ng mga kasalukuyang kaganapan," Coloma said.