Cardinal Quevedo hopes BBL will solve Bangsamoro woes

MAGUINDANAO --- Orlando Cardinal Quevedo is optimistic the Bangsamoro Basic Law will correct prejudices against Muslims by fostering stronger ties among southern sectarian groups.Quevedo, who has overtly been supporting the efforts of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to end decades of secessionist conflicts in the south, announced this at the Bangsamoro Assembly in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Monday. I pray and hope that the BBL will be symbol of unity of all Bangsamoro, Quevedo told participants to the assembly, apparently referring to Mindanao’s ethno-linguistic Moro tribes.The assembly, organized by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the MILF and other blocs supporting the Mindanao peace process, is meant to highlight the support of Moro sectors to the draft BBL. The BBL, crafted by the commission, comprised of representatives from the MILF and the government, is now awaiting approval by Congress.The bill is the enabling measure for the implementation of the two compacts between the government and the MILF --- the 2013 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.It also aims to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a more empowered MILF-led, self-governing Bangsamoro regional entity.Quevedo said he is hoping that the BBL will provide children with education essential to efforts of addressing deep-seated misunderstandings among Muslims, Christians and Lumads in Southern Philippines.Quevedo, Mindanao's top Catholic parochial leader, is also involved in programs meant to preserve the cultural and religious identities of the diverse, culturally-pluralistic communities in the region.He said he also wishes to see peace and sustainable development spread through Moro communities through the implementation of a BBL enacted into law by Congress and ratified through a plebiscite in its proposed territory.Quevedo belongs to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation, whose pontifical base is in Rome and has been involved in missionary works propagating Muslim-Christian solidarity in Mindanao since the 1930s.He said he believes in the objective of the BBL to unite Muslims, the Christians and the Lumads in its proposed core territory. All Muslims and Christians are creations of Almighty God, Quevedo said.