Romerosa, Dan Joseph T.

May 25, 2015

"MUSLIMS DIVIDED: IMMEDIATE APPROVAL OF BBL, TO CAUSE PEACE OR MORE
CONFLICT"
Peace activists belonging to the "Bangsamoro para sa Bayan para sa Lahat" formed a mass mobilization on
Monday, May 25, simultaneous to the protests of the members of Anak-sug, Inc. in front of the Philippine
Senate Building, Pasay City.
With the cooperation of 32 soliditary groups of Bangsamoro para sa Bayan para sa Lahat, representatives
from Abopad, UnYPAD, UnYPEL, UnYPhil, Anak-Mindanao, Ummahat, and 1-Bangsa called on the
members of the Committee headed by Sen. Bongbong Marcos to do a "Rufus Rodriguez" and fast track the
process for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Around 200 participants, children and adults, of the said Muslim party showed up carrying pictures of the
Senators and tarpaulins with the slogans "Be A Peacemaker; Pass a CAB based BBL!" and "Do not Delay,
Peace under Construction. Pass a CAB based BBL!"
"We feel that the sluggishness of the Committee in relation to coming up with a substantial discussion or
position on the BBL is reflective of Sen. Marcos lack of commitment to the realization of peace in
Mindanao and recognition of the right of the Bangsamoro for self-determination," stated the Bawgbug
Program Coordinator Abdul Malik Cleofe.
The cost of the armed conflict of this issue had been estimated to 640 billion php worth of damages to
business and properties leading to 20 billion php economic loss every year. 982 000 Filipinos were
displaced due to All-Out-War of 2000 and another 600 000 due to failure of peace progress.
In addition, the war caused almost 120 000 deaths among Filipinos from 1970-1996, environment
destruction, loss of sense of well being and security, and children are unable to go to school.
If the BBL, however, is to be approved, peace for Mindanao and Philippines are claimed to bring progress
with an estimated 50 000php per capital income in the ARMM will increase every year starting 2017;
Mindanao will achieve as much 90 000 php gross domestic product; and the Philippines will attain 7-8%
long term growth target.
In contrast, the Chairperson of Anak-sug Inc. San Sibar Hadjulani stated "how could there be peace if
we're not at peace?"
The Anak-sug, Inc.'s advocacy is to withheld the fast approval of BBL. Muslims belonging to Sulu,
Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga Peninsula and Southern Palawan complain on how a law becomes in
progress and fastly appealing without consulting the people who will be affected when the law is approved.
"Hello? Taga-dito kami. Di man lang kami kinatok," said a member of Anak-sug, Inc.

According to Hadjulani, the Anak-sug Inc. is not anti-BBL. Their people accept that this law will
eventually be approved. All they ask is for the Republic to consider proper consultation beforehand of
revisions and approval.
Overall, the Bangsamoro para sa Bayan para sa lahat dominated the picket due to the lack of preparation of
the Anak-sug Inc., said Hadjulani. Only around 20 people participated but an estimated 500 people were
expected to show up.
Both sides of the Muslim protesters aim the same advocacy: peace. However, both try to achieve this with
different ideas of treatment. So, how will the President answer the Muslims shout for "Peace in Mindanao:
Now Na!"?