By Francis Wakefield
The Bangsamoro Organic Law is the reason the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) work together, former MNLF Chair Muslimin Sema told thousands of people who attended the Advocacy for the BOL at Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (November 20, 2018).
(OPAPP / MANILA BULLETIN)
The activity, attended by MNLF members and their communities, was led by the MNLF Central Committee and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) at Camp Ebrahim Sema. It is the first installment in the upcoming MNLF assemblies for the BOL.
Sema recalled the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro such as the Jabidah massacre that ultimately led to the establishment of the MNLF in the 1960s. “Ang MNLF ay itinatag dahil sa Jabiddah massacre (The MNLF was formed because of the Jabiddah massacre),” Serna said.
He also said he was “sentimental” because Camp Ebrahim Sema “was named after my brother who never came home. We never even saw his body," he said. He also acknowledged the hardships the Bangsamoro people went through towards the attainment of their aspirations.
“Sa mga nanay, sa mga byuda kasama na ang mga kalalakihan (To the mothers, widows, and men), we all acknowledge all your contributions. The contributions of your families, your fathers, your mothers, your sisters, your brothers who have shed their tears, sweat, and blood in the Bangsamoro struggle,” he said.
."Ang BOL na ito ang maiiwan natin sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Sisiguraduhin natin sa pamamagitan ng BOL na hindi na nila mararanasan ang hirap na dinanas natin noon. (We will pass BOL to the next generations. We will ascertain that through the BOL, they will not go through what we have experienced)," he said.
In a video message played during the event, Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser Nabil A. Tan also emphasized the MNLF’s role in supporting the BOL.
“Ang ating Pangulo ay lubos na kinikilala ang critical participation ng ating mga kapatid sa MNLF sa pagpasa ng BOL. (Our President fully recognizes the critical participation of our MNLF brothers and sisters in the passage of the BOL)," he said.
Tan encouraged the participants to continue nurturing the collaboration among all stakeholders.
“I hope mag tuloy-tuloy ang ating partnership ng gobyerno with MILF and MNLF... kasama ng ating mga stakeholders and other communities, pagsama-samahan natin ito, para umunlad ang Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (I hope the partnership with the government and the MILF and MNLF will continue together with the stakeholders and other communities, let’s work together to develop the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region)," he said.
MNLF Commander Randy Karon said the BOL is not exclusively for the MNLF and MILF.
“Ito ay BOL ng mamamayang Bangsamoro (This is the BOL of the Bangsamoro people),” he said.
Rukaisa Masukat, a member of the MNLF youth group, said as the next leaders, the youth will continue the aspirations enshrined in the BOL.“Alam namin na kami yung papalit sa mga nauna naming mga magaling na pinuno upang maipagpatuloy ang hangarin ng BOL. (We know we will take the place of our good leaders to continue the aspirations of the BOL),” he said.
Also present in the gathering were Bangsamoro Transition Commissioner and MNLF vice chair for Internal Affairs Hatimil Hassan, Women’s Committee chairperson Bainon Karon, and MNLF leaders. Lt. Charlie Balungayan represented Armed Forces of the Philippines 6th Infantry Division commander Major General Cirilito Sobejana.
The next MNLF assemblies will be held on Nov 24 - Marawi City, Nov 27 - North Cotabato, Dec 8 - Sulu, Dec 9 - Basilan and on Dec 11 - Tawi-Tawi.
(OPAPP / MANILA BULLETIN)
The activity, attended by MNLF members and their communities, was led by the MNLF Central Committee and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) at Camp Ebrahim Sema. It is the first installment in the upcoming MNLF assemblies for the BOL.
Sema recalled the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro such as the Jabidah massacre that ultimately led to the establishment of the MNLF in the 1960s. “Ang MNLF ay itinatag dahil sa Jabiddah massacre (The MNLF was formed because of the Jabiddah massacre),” Serna said.
He also said he was “sentimental” because Camp Ebrahim Sema “was named after my brother who never came home. We never even saw his body," he said. He also acknowledged the hardships the Bangsamoro people went through towards the attainment of their aspirations.
“Sa mga nanay, sa mga byuda kasama na ang mga kalalakihan (To the mothers, widows, and men), we all acknowledge all your contributions. The contributions of your families, your fathers, your mothers, your sisters, your brothers who have shed their tears, sweat, and blood in the Bangsamoro struggle,” he said.
."Ang BOL na ito ang maiiwan natin sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Sisiguraduhin natin sa pamamagitan ng BOL na hindi na nila mararanasan ang hirap na dinanas natin noon. (We will pass BOL to the next generations. We will ascertain that through the BOL, they will not go through what we have experienced)," he said.
In a video message played during the event, Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser Nabil A. Tan also emphasized the MNLF’s role in supporting the BOL.
“Ang ating Pangulo ay lubos na kinikilala ang critical participation ng ating mga kapatid sa MNLF sa pagpasa ng BOL. (Our President fully recognizes the critical participation of our MNLF brothers and sisters in the passage of the BOL)," he said.
Tan encouraged the participants to continue nurturing the collaboration among all stakeholders.
“I hope mag tuloy-tuloy ang ating partnership ng gobyerno with MILF and MNLF... kasama ng ating mga stakeholders and other communities, pagsama-samahan natin ito, para umunlad ang Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (I hope the partnership with the government and the MILF and MNLF will continue together with the stakeholders and other communities, let’s work together to develop the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region)," he said.
MNLF Commander Randy Karon said the BOL is not exclusively for the MNLF and MILF.
“Ito ay BOL ng mamamayang Bangsamoro (This is the BOL of the Bangsamoro people),” he said.
Rukaisa Masukat, a member of the MNLF youth group, said as the next leaders, the youth will continue the aspirations enshrined in the BOL.“Alam namin na kami yung papalit sa mga nauna naming mga magaling na pinuno upang maipagpatuloy ang hangarin ng BOL. (We know we will take the place of our good leaders to continue the aspirations of the BOL),” he said.
Also present in the gathering were Bangsamoro Transition Commissioner and MNLF vice chair for Internal Affairs Hatimil Hassan, Women’s Committee chairperson Bainon Karon, and MNLF leaders. Lt. Charlie Balungayan represented Armed Forces of the Philippines 6th Infantry Division commander Major General Cirilito Sobejana.
The next MNLF assemblies will be held on Nov 24 - Marawi City, Nov 27 - North Cotabato, Dec 8 - Sulu, Dec 9 - Basilan and on Dec 11 - Tawi-Tawi.