MILF certain of mandate for BOL from Maguindanao voters

MAGUINDANAO --- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is elated with how non-Muslims are campaigning for an electoral mandate for the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the MILF’s top leader said.The MILF’s figurehead, Hadji Murad Ebrahim, said Tuesday among the staunch endorses of the BOL is Mindanao Catholic leader Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, who has persistently been asserting that it will correct the historical injustice Moro people are ranting about.Ebrahim said on Tuesday afternoon, while in Buluan town, that the overt support of Quevedo, Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay and her spouse, Vice Mayor Roderick, and Mayor Ramon Piang of Upi town in Maguindanao to the campaign for the ratification of the BOL is a big boost to the southern peace process.Ebrahim was among key speakers in Tuesday’s pro-BOL forum in Buluan town in Maguindanao that Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and his siblings organized to show support of provincial and municipal officials to the BOL.Ebrahim, who is chairman of the MILF’s central committee, and Mangudadatu both urged the more than 30,000 people in the gathering to vote in favor of the ratification of the BOL during a plebiscite on January 21 in the ARMM’s five provinces.Besides the ARMM’s 118 towns, the Commission on Elections shall also administer the plebiscite in several towns in North Cotabato, in Lanao del Norte and in the cities of Isabela and in Cotabato in Regions 9 and 12, respectively.Ebrahim told this media outfit before he spoke at Tuesday’s BOL campaign forum in the municipal gymnasium of Buluan that they are thankful to Quevedo, the Furigay couple and to Piang, a former principal of the Catholic Notre Dame School in Upi town in Maguindanao for urging voters to vote in favor of the measure, also known as Republic Act 11054.He said the MILF is also grateful to the non-Moro leaders in North Cotabato, among them Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, for supporting the BOL.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who also hails from North Cotabato, also announced last week that he, his relatives and supporters are also for the ratification of the BOL. To all of them the MILF shall be forever grateful, Ebrahim said.Once ratified, the BOL shall pave the way for the replacement of the now 29-year ARMM with a more empowered BARMM, based on two peace compacts between Malacañang and the MILF --- the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and, subsequently, the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro. We’re now almost in the finish line of this peace process. Let is remain patient and united in this endeavor, Ebrahim told participants to Tuesday’s pro-BOL forum in Buluan.He said the MILF is also thankful to the Mangudadatu clan and all mayors in Maguindanao for helping educate the public on the intricacies of the BOL.Ebrahim, Mangudadatu and other local executives on Tuesday assured non-Muslims of religious freedom under the BARMM. There is no basis for speculations that this will be beneficial only to Muslims. This is an inclusive vehicle for the attainment of lasting peace, peace for all people with different religions and tribes, Ebrahim said.Mangudadatu said there is no basis either for apprehensions of non-Muslims that they would be subjected to Sharia laws under BARMM. It is very clear too that the BOL has provisions assuring Christians and indigenous non-Muslim communities of ample representation in the BARMM government. So what is there to fear about? Let’s vote for its ratification, he said.Mangudadatu said there is a clear indication that voters in Maguindanao, which has 36 towns, will vote in favor of the BOL on January 21. I am very grateful to the officials of Maguindanao province and the mayors for organizing this forum and for the personal invitation of the governor for me to speak here, Ebrahim said.Ebrahim said the BOL is meant to put closure to the now 50-year Mindanao Moro issue.