“War Might Continue If the Bangsamoro Basic Law is Shelved” – Sulu Congressman

In the wake of the Mamasapano clash, the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is deemed next to impossible by several lawmakers, especially after discussions relevant to the BBL have been temporarily postponed.

What are the repercussions should the BBL be shelved indefinitely?

A Former MNLF Commander’s View

According to Sulu Representative and former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Tupay Loong, “War might continue if the Bangsamoro Basic Law will not push through.”

He wants the government to understand that the Fallen 44 were not the only victims of the Mamasapano encounter. To date, there are 6,000 people who have been affected by the clash. These people are living in temporary shelters after they were displaced from their homes.

According to Loong, it saddens him how the media and the government have focused their energies on the Fallen 44 yet forgot the innocent civilians whose lives were directly affected as well. The peace process must continue.

See – Local Celebs Express Anger at PNoy Snub; Offer Tribute to Fallen SAF Heroes

Should we blame the Moro Islamic Liberation Front? “No”, says Loong. He thinks the group should be the one who should be solely blamed for the clash because “they never expected that this situation will happen”.

A Former Soldier’s View

As for the weapons taken from the Special Action Forces, the government might never see these again. According to Magdalo Rep Gary Alejano, based on his experience with the MNLF, the group distrusts the government. Even if they willingly surrender one firearm each, he is sure these men left three firearms at home.

He believes this distrust led to the failure of the peace process with the MNLF in 1996 because the rebels simply refused to surrender their weapons.

As for the president, Alejano believes the president should not feel ashamed that he gave orders to capture Marwan because there is nothing illegal about that operation. He thinks the president should step up and accept responsibility for the botched operation which killed the lives of 44 SAF troopers.

See – Sen. Miriam Santiago on PNoy: He May Be Criminally Charged for Deaths of 44 Elite Cops