COTABATO CITY, December 10, 2018 — Tens of thousands of supporters all over Mindanao rallied behind the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) today during the kick-off assembly for the plebiscite campaign held at the Office of the Regional Governor Compound of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in this city.

Clad in shirts printed with “Yes to BOL,” supporters from eight different provinces flooded the streets of Cotabato City to call for a resounding victory in the upcoming plebiscite scheduled on January 21 and February 6, 2019.

In his message, Government Peace Implementing Panel Chair Undersecretary Nabil A. Tan emphasized the dividends of peace the law will bring to the region, which had been beset by decades of conflict.

Ito ay para sa kapayapaan, permanent peace na matagal na natin minimithi para sa Mindanao,” he said.

(This is for peace, permanent peace that we have been dreaming of for Mindanao).

His counterpart from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Chair Mohagher Iqbal, said the law’s inclusive provisions ensure that every sector will benefit in the Bangsamoro region.

Para ito sa lahat. Walang maiiwan, ito ay para sa ating lahat,” he said.

(This is for all. No one will be left behind. This is for all of us.)

The campaign period for the plebiscite started on December 7 with peace rallies from all over the country including here in Cotabato City and Manila. The campaign period will end on January 19, 2019.


MILF, MNLF unite for BOL

The leadership of both the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) vowed to campaign aggressively for the law in their respective communities.

In a message read by Bangsamoro National People’s Congress Chair Muslimin Sema, current MNLF Central Committee Chair Yusop Jikiri urged the Bangsamoro to continue their peaceful efforts towards realization of Bangsamoro aspirations.

“We rewrite the history books to instill in the minds of those that will come after us that the demand for a just, dignified, and lasting peace requires revisiting the past before facing the future,” he said. “We rewrite the history books to end centuries of hatred, mistrust, and injustice that caused and affected the lives of millions of Filipinos.”

MILF Chair Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, meanwhile, narrated the Bangsamoro’s struggle for peace and recognition of their identity as he urged everyone to give BOL a chance to succeed.

“I don’t think that there will be another law if BOL fails. (So) I appeal to everyone to be objective in evaluating BOL,” he said.


Overwhelming sectoral support seen for the plebiscite campaign

Various sectoral leaders pledged to support and campaign for the BOL to advance peace and development in the region

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman threw his full support for the campaign as he urged the Bangsamoro to participate in the campaign and the plebiscite.

Tandaan po natin, kayo ang makapangyarihan sa January 21. Hindi mabubuo ang BOL kung wala kayo,” he said.

(Let us remember that on January 21, the power is in your hands. The creation of BOL will not be possible without you).

Fr. Clifford Baira said Christian communities will support the new Bangsamoro region.

“Our simple formula is to engage the people of the Bangsamoro. Let them be part of the governance in the inclusive quest for peace in Mindanao,” he said.

Upi, Maguindanao Mayor and representative from the indigenous people Ramon Piang Sr. gave assurance that the Lumad will step up their campaign for the plebiscite.

Representatives from the youth, traditional leaders, women, and the business community also committed to campaign for the law in their respective communities.

The plebiscite will be held in two dates, first in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City, and Isabela City on January 21, 2019.

For Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato, including the barangays that filed their petitions to join the BARMM granted by the COMELEC, the plebiscite will be held on February 6, 2019. ###