Government, MILF present Bangsamoro Organic Law to stakeholders

MANILA, Philippines — The respective chairmen of the implementing panels of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) formally presented the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to stakeholders in a symbolic celebration yesterday.

Nabil Tan, deputy presidential peace adviser and chairman of the government implementing panel, presented the BOL along with his counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, in a ceremony held at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Office of the Regional Governor compound.

Officials said the event signified the commitment of the government to the Bangsamoro peace process after President Duterte formally ratified the BOL in Malacañang on Monday. 

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said the BOL is a product of a series of peace agreements between the Philippine government and the Muslim rebel groups.

While it is largely anchored on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro – a peace deal between the Philippine government and the MILF – the new law for the Bangsamoro reflects and builds upon the gains of previous Moro peace agreements since the 1970s.

The BOL recognizes the aspirations and articulations of the Moros in the past peace agreements as well as those expressed during the series of public consultations.

The law provides exercise of meaningful autonomy for the Moro people by charting their own political future through a democratic process. 

This is an improvement of the ARMM law as it retains and recognizes the historical and geographical identity of the Bangsamoro people and allows the other inhabitants in the area the freedom of choice to retain their distinct and indigenous identity.

“We got the support of almost all sectors, especially support coming from the President, as I always say that we have reached a milestone. But remember, we still have a lot of challenges to work on. The job will not be easy but if everybody will stay the course then maybe we can reach the ultimate dream – sustainable peace,” Dureza said.

For his part, Tan said the signing of the BOL “is a significant contribution to peace. This will hopefully usher in the dawn of progress in Muslim Mindanao.”

In his speech last Monday, Duterte said he hoped the BOL would “serve as the final trajectory for the attainment of genuine peace, stability and good governance in Muslim Mindanao.”

Duterte acknowledged the people who rallied for enactment of the law.