This is a copy of the speech of MILF Chairman Mohagher Iqbal before the House of Representatives regarding the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The BBL is the law that will outline and guide the principles of the new Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro will replace the current ARMM, and will provide a truly autonomous government to our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters. The Bangsamoro- our Muslim brothers and sisters from Mindanao- have been yearning for recognition of their culture, their people, and their home. They too need space to uphold their traditions and practices; they were here before the Philippines, after all. The wish of the Bangsamoro is not to secede from the Philippines. The wish is for recognition and respect, and the creation of the Bangsamoro affords them that. People will say that the Bangsamoro will lead to secession, that this will be a haven for radical Islamists and terrorists. It will not, because an embrace of their identity and culture will encourage us all to maintain peace and reject once again the terrible rhythms of the drums of war. The Bangsamoro is not just for Muslims and it will not be held above or below any other province. The Bangsamoro will not force any province that does not wish to be part of it into the region. And the Indigenous People and Christians of the area will not be forced to follow Shariah or abandon their practice. The Bangsamoro is an entity created to give respect to the people whose lands were robbed, to appreciate the culture of our Muslim brothers and sisters (who we often forget, ignore, or treat with hostility and discrimination) and to allow a return to the traditional homeland that existed even before our country did. The creation of the Bangsamoro is another exercise in building our incredibly diverse nation. We are a nation of people with different cultures and identities but united under the flag and identity of FILIPINO. Let us not let fear or hostility frighten us into stagnancy. Let us hope and grow as a nation.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 01:17:48 +0000
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