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Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Ex MILF spokesman asks lawmakers “not to be carried away by emotions”

By Gideon C. Corgue

DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur – Former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman appealed to Senators Peter Allan Cayetano and JV Ejercito not to be carried away by their emotions by withdrawing their sponsorship of Bangsmoro Basic Law (BBL).
In radio interview over RMN dxPR here, Kabalu said “it is not good for the senators to be affected by their emotions over the death of 44 SAF members, as they need to see first both sides of the coins before giving their decision.”
The two senators were reported to have withdrawn their authorship of the proposed BBL following the encounter between Special Action Force (SAF) policemen and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last Sunday in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that led to the death of at least 44 SAF members.
Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, has also declared that he would stop Senate consultations related to the passage of the BBL.
“The senators withdrawal of support to the proposed draft bill is inappropriate because they did not know what really happened in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which claimed the lives of SAF commandos,” Kabalu said.
“I think it is entirely unfair if we suspend the peace process,” Kabalu emphasized adding that there should be a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident and to find the answers to the questions the nation is asking.

Kabalu said “the peace agreement is very important” and he urged the government “to be resolute in passing the BBL to bring peace, stability and progress to Mindanao.”

Meanwhile, Kabalu extended his condolences to the families of slain SAF victims.
“As vice chairman of Bangsamoro Transformation Council, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences and sympathies to the families of SAF members. Despite of this unfortunate incident, we hope that peace in Mindanao will be achieved through a non-violent action.