Cotabato City (January 19, 2018) – President Rodrigo Duterte visited the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to support the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on Friday, January 18, at the seat of the regional government here.
In his speech during the peace assembly, the President said the approval of this law will serve as a testament of Bangsamoro’s determination to bring genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao through an autonomous government that truly represents and understands the needs of the people.
“We listened to the indispensable sentiments and concerns of Muslims, Christians, Lumads, and other indigenous peoples and various stakeholders who call Mindanao their own,” he said. Once the law is implemented, he added, it will lead to better governance, inclusive political empowerment, and enhanced systems of transparency and accountability.
For the last time, President Duterte urged the Bangsamoro people to exercise their right to vote in the coming plebiscite. “Mga mahal kong Moro brothers and sisters, magboto kayo ng ‘Yes’. Together, let us take this opportunity to begin the process of healing… so that one day we can embrace each other as really brothers and sisters,” he added.
Meanwhile, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman reiterated that the BOL is the answer to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro. “Ang ‘Yes’ sa BOL ay ‘Yes’ sa ating mga pangarap. Kung may BOL, mas malaya ang pamahalaang Bangsamoro na mag-desisyon para sa sarili,” he said.
“Bukod pa rito, ang BOL ang pinaka-sagisag ng tagumpay ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kung mara-ratify ito, magiging malinaw ang mensahe sa lahat: Tapos na ang gulo,” Gov. Hataman added.
During the event, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim expressed his gratitude to President Duterte. “Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat. Ibinigay ninyo sa amin ang susi ng kapayapaan at susi ng kaunlaran,” he said.
Chairman Murad said he is optimistic that the visit of President Duterte will boost the ‘Yes’ vote for the BOL, especially in Cotabato City. He also said that the MILF has already prepared its security forces to ensure the safety of the voters during the plebiscite.
Chairman Murad appealed, especially to those who are not in favor of the BOL, to give the proposed measure a chance and vote ‘Yes’ on this coming plebiscite. “I hope na iyong mga hindi pa rin sumusuporta, ay makita nila kung ano ang kahalagahan ng BOL. Ito ay hindi para sa MILF, hindi para sa MNLF, hindi para sa kanino man, kundi ito ay para sa ating lahat na nandito sa Bangsamoro at sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.
The peace assembly, organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the MILF, was the final campaign push for the BOL before the January 21 plebiscite.
SOURCE: (Bureau of Public Information)
January 19, 2019 @ 12:05
N-BICTO-01192019-419
