Bangsamoro came from the words: Bansang Moro.

I have watched an interview (The

Bottomline with Boy Abunda) of ANAK Mindanao Party List Representative Sitti Djalia
Turabin-Hataman (wife of ARMM Governor) - she said that even before the Spanish
and American colonizers came to the Philippines they are a "a nation" on their own.
They are even entering "Treaties" with other countries without the knowledge or
permission of the Philippine Government. That somehow explains to us why the
Moros (Muslim inhabitants of the Philippines) in our country are in a struggle to
retain the government of their ow

Being a Christian I can not fully understand their culture and beliefs, as well as the
the Central Government MAY not- that is why the Aquino government is convinced
that we must let them govern their own land and people with respect to that
religious beliefs and culture. It is always practical to elect a leader that knows his
constituents very well - and most of the times, among them; like in the Muslim
territory, a natural born Moro

The Bangsamoro Basic Law will replace and abolish the Autonomous Region Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM) Organic Act. BBL is an enhanced version of the existing ARMM.
The said Law's primary aim is to promote long-term peace and ensure development
and progress in the Bangsamoro region and to secure their identity being Moros.
This road to peace process took us seventeen years(17) to realize.

According to former DILG secretary Rafael Alunan III (in an interview), many were
not consulted - they said it's half-baked that is why many factions arise. Before
ratification there must be consultation first on the concerned people. To quote
"Intent is good to bring peace to Mindanao but if it is not done right we're not gonna
have peace but war." As he said BBL is a fait accompli. That is his sole opinion.

In my own opinion, there is no substantial reason why I can not say YES to BBL after
reading and understanding the draft. I have scanned the hundred-page draft of it to
be ratified in Congress (that means still remains a "Bill" and not a "Law" yet unless
ratified - passed in the scrutinizing and approval of the Philippine Congress consists
of the senate and the house of representatives). Take note, dear readers - it is not
President Aquino's approval that is considered here BUT the approval of each of the
senators and the representatives that we, the public, have chosen and have
elected in every district or province in the whole country. We literally put our trust
in them when we have voted for them during the election. That is why, I am sure
that we will all agree on this, that they know what they are doing- and they have us
always in mind in every decisions they make or approve of.

Talking about the rebels and what had happened in the recent Mamasapano
massacre - if we get too emotional, we can sacrifice the future of millions of youth
and their families who are just ordinary people living within the Bangsamoro
territory. And to share what I have learned from some research - the armed groups,
as we know, is the product of the 1954 Martial Law declared by the late Ferdinand
Marcos. The MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation
Front) and BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) they are different from each
other. MNLF is the parent organization from which the two came from. MILF is the
disgruntled/dissatisfied members of MNLF - they formed another group when MNLF
decided to unite with the Central Government (the Phil. Gov't.). And the BIFF - is the
offspring of discontented MILF members who then decided to establish another
group apart from them. To sum it up, every time the group of rebels decided to
connect with the government there is always one or two members who would not
cooperate and their option is to create another rebel group. These rebels are just
fraction of the entire Bangsamoro population that the government has taken into
consideration upon bridging the gaps between the Philippine Government and the
Bangsamoros. We must understand that rebellion is not the heart of all Moros -
father, mother and children. In fact, they opted for peace, recently about two million
of the ordinary population has been displaced after the military has launched attack
in Maguindanao to go after the rebels. I have heard in an interview with the BIFF
spokesperson Misry Mama that they have no intention of returning the guns they
have seized from Fallen 44 and they do not agree on BBL - I remember him saying
"all out war" with the government that maybe prompted the government to send
military forces in their area. The grenade and gun factory belongs to them. MILF
denied that they are the ones who get the uniforms and the guns but in the event of
returning the armaments - it was discovered that one of the guns belonged to the
recorded barbarous killing of a SAF member who was twice shot in the head. MILF
returned the guns, they said they just found after the incident denying the overkill
but they really participated alerted that they maybe the target of the SAF attack -
that has not been coordinated by the government to them. Anyway whatever and
whoever who must have done this must be surrendered or yielded by the MILF to
pay for it. We can not afford injustice to our beloved fallen heroes but let us not
SACRIFICE the welfare of the many common people if we do not approve of BBL.

BBL has a provision of FULL DISCLOSURE Policy of budget and finances - including
revenues and expenditures meaning, the Central Government (Phil. Gov't.) will be
well-aware and informed of the projects funded by the collected regional revenues -
this answered my fear of the Moros (I wrote in my Fallen 44 Reaction Updated)
might fund training of more rebels or weapons factory.

And to think of it thoroughly, the Moros can just have their revenues on their own, if
they did not really wanted PEACE and they opted for more funds. They would not
allow the central government to intervene with their activities too - because we all
know that they can fight and they could hold innocent hostages to get what they
wanted. Let us put our TRUST in them. In one of the BBL provisions it is stated
there that the Bangsamoro Government shall share revenues from the region with
the Central Governement (Phil. Gov't) - revenues from natural resources like crops
all theirs, on mettalic 25 % shall be for the Central Gov't. and on non-metallic (such
as gas) 50-50 sharing.

From all the taxes they will be charging their constituents - four percent (4%) of
which is to the Central Government. That is because the Bangsamoro Gov't. shall be
responsible for the healthcare, education and well-being as well as employment
opportunities in the the region - that is an additional source of fund for those
undertakings.

I scanned some other important details/provisions of the BBL Draft (I did not
discussed above):

- whom shall be called Bangsamoros,

- what consists of their territory

- they have their own flag, national anthem, and emblem.

- the creation of Bangsamoro as a Political Entity (still under the Philippine's

Central Government whose commander-in-chief remains to be the President of the
Republic)

-Inter-governmental Policies - there are actions that the Central Gov't shall be
informed especially if foreign dealings might risk National Security. The Central
Government shall send people to check if the policies of the BBL and the agrement
is well-followed.
-BBL will also create a BTC (Bangsamoro Transition Commission) to take care of the
region while still waiting for the May 2016 Elections for them to elect their "Chief
Minister".

- Shari'ah Courts shall be strengthened but applicable ONLY to Muslims and the Civil
Courts shall be maintained for the non-Muslims in their territory.

- the Rights of the IPs (Indigenous People) shall be well-respected

- the police force is still under the Central Government (Philippines). The Chief shall
be a Moro/Muslim but with 10 yrs. or more experience as a Police Superintendent,
they will choose from the existing PNP.

-Plebiscite shall be held after the BBL Draft is passed in the Congress - to determine
the territories/people who wanted to be part of the Bangsamoro. All those who
belong to the ARMM shall automatically be included - the baranggays and
municipalities or cities. Requesting Barangays with at least ten valid registered
voters shall be included.

It is a YES to BBL for me. Let us not be carried-away by others opinion about it. We
can study it on our own. I have provided the link of the BBL DRAFT below for your
perusal and make your own decisions as to support it or not. Let us be informed
before giving conclusion. And most of all, let us give our brothers the chance to
have self-governance/self-determination, and be fathered by our National
Government. Although we can not really blame the government, as the Moros said
they had been neglected - before, they never wanted to be part of the country until
ARMM Organic Act came. BBL is just a proof that the ARMM region we knew today
recognizes the Philippine Government being the higher authority to influence and
impart on their growth - economically and in all aspects; simultaneously keeping
their culture and beliefs.

--------------

Sorry for the delayed release of this post. I need to understand BBL that well
because I find responsibility of providing you with the correct information about it
before I can give my "reaction". I find it hard too get a complete and reliable source
of the "BBL Draft" for my own study of it combined with my slow internet connection
and the "hanging" problem of my PC...I remember I put my advisory of writing this
on the "Site Advisory" page of my site weeks ago...

To my students page visitors, I advised you to read it but do not copy the whole
article...and that is plagiarism! You may be caught of having similar "Reaction
Papers" - there is nothing wrong with your opinions - justifying it gives color. Write it
on your own understanding, in your own words. It does not really matter if we have
the same opinion or not on the issue. What matters is you can justify yours to make
your paper convincing and powerful. It must have an introduction, your reaction
(the body), the summary and the closing shall be your own
recommendation/suggestion. I will also appreciate your telling my site to your
friends - and be back after your assignments are submitted. This site has more to
offer than your assignments :)

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