MILF

BIDA KA!: Wala nang ‘Bakwits’

Mga Bida, nagdiriwang nga­yon ang buong bansa, lalo na ang mga taga-Mindanao, kasunod ng pagpirma ng pamahalaan at Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sa Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Ang pagpirma sa kasunduan ay hudyat ng simula ng bagong panahon ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa Mindanao, na lubhang nalumpo ng ilang dekadang bakbakan sa pagitan ng dalawang panig.

Sa mga nakalipas na panahon, karaniwan nang larawan ng karahasan ang Mindanao. Libu-libong katao ang nagbuwis ng buhay habang milyun-milyon naman ang nawalan ng tirahan at ikabubuhay dahil sa kaguluhan.

Dahil sa digmaang ito, maraming pagkakataon ang nasayang upang magamit ang masaganang likas na yaman ng Mindanao, na naging daan sana ng kaunlaran ng rehiyon.

Imbes na maging paboritong destinasyon ng mga negosyante’t mamumuhunan, ang Mindanao ay parang isang taong may malalang sakit na nilalayuan ng lahat.

Lahat ito ay nakatakdang magbago, ngayong nagkasundo na ang pamahalaan at MILF na magkasamang kikilos para sa kaunlaran at pangmatagalang kapaya­paan ng Mindanao.

Sa pangakong kapayapaan at seguridad ng kasunduan, mabubura na ang masamang imahe ng Mindanao at masisimulan na ang matagal na inaasam na pag-unlad nito.

Ngayong plantsado na ang kasunduan, magiging madali na ang pagpasok ng negosyo na magbibigay ng trabaho at iba pang uri ng kabuhayan sa ating mga kapatid sa Mindanao.

Naniniwala ako na ang Mindanao ay susi sa mabilis na pag-abot ng pag-asenso na hinahangad ng lahat.

***

Dahil sa digmaan, sumikat ang katagang “bakwit”, o tawag sa mga residente na lumilikas sa evacuation centers para hindi maipit sa kaguluhan.

Sa kasunduang ito, tapos na ang araw ng pagtakbo ng mga pamilya mula sa kaguluhan at pag-iwas sa mga bombang pinapakawalan ng magkabilang panig.

Babalik na sa normal ang pamumuhay ng milyun-mil­yong mga taga-Mindanao. Makakatulog na sila nang payapa tuwing gabi. Makakagala na sila sa iba’t ibang tanawin sa Mindanao nang hindi tumitingin sa kanilang mga likuran.

Wala nang mararamdamang pangamba ang mga magulang kapag naglalaro ang mga anak sa mga kalsada at hindi sa maruming paligid ng evacuation centers na ilang taon ding naging tahanan.

Sa darating na pasukan, maipagpapatuloy ng mga bata ang kanilang pag-aaral. Wala nang kaguluhang pipigil sa kanilang hangarin na makakuha ng diploma at magkaroon ng magandang buhay.

Muli na ring mabubuhay ang nawasak na pangarap ng mga taga-Mindanao ngayong may mas malinaw nang kinabukasan para sa kanila.

Mga Bida, ang kapayapaang dumating sa Mindanao ay para sa lahat ng Pilipino tungo sa malawakang kaunlaran.

First Published on Abante Online

At a crossroads

In the next few weeks, we can expect news reports to revolve around the debates on the amendments on the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and how it has been affected by the tragedy in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

With the spotlight on the conflict in Mindanao, we are confronted with countless questions and emotions associated with distrust and, ultimately, fear.

Last month, the Senate released its committee report following the investigation on the Mamasapano clash and I am one of the senators who signed the committee report with reservations.

Though I agree with majority of what was written, I disagree with some of the conclusions made regarding the actions of the peace panel, the peace process, and the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law itself.

There were conclusions about the“excessive” optimism of the peace panel, and the report went as far as calling the Bangsamoro Basic Law a “casualty” of the Mamasapano clash. These statements went beyond the scope of the hearings.

While the peace panel was represented during the Senate investigation, they were not able to present the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in depth nor were they able to discuss the peace process in detail.

We wrote the committee asking for clarifications and, if necessary, we will propose amendments once the report reaches the plenary.

These next few months are crucial if we are to achieve justice for our fallen heroes. We must maintain our focus on three things: First, we must capture those that were involved in the summary killing of the SAF 44 and have them stand trial for their crimes.

Second, we must ascertain that the families of the Fallen 44 are cared for and that the donations and benefits awarded to them are properly turned over.

And third, we must work to the best of our abilities to have peace in Mindanao so that tragedies like this will no longer happen again.

Through the course of the Mamasapano hearings, a number of concerns have been raised regarding the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Some of these are with regard to constitutionality and others with regard to resources to be allotted for the proposed Bangsamoro new political entity.

The most pressing concerns, though, are with regard to the MILF itself and their ability to be partners in the peace process.

The crossroads we now face are whether legislators will seek to address these concerns through changes in the Bangsamoro Basic Law or whether these concerns mean the junking of the bill and possibly, the peace process altogether.

Though it may not seem that way now, before Mamasapano, we were closer than we had ever been to ending the decades-long conflict in Mindanao. Can we find our way back amidst the anger, fear, and grief that befell us?

The answer to this pregnant question is not just a “Yes,” but a “We have to.”

To honor those that have fallen in Mamasapano, and the thousands more throughout the decades of armed conflict, we have to.

To protect families from being displaced and torn apart by armed conflict, we have to.

To ensure that Filipinos stop killing each other, we have to.

It is the job of the Senate to debate, deliberate, and refine the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and produce the best possible version that addresses the concerns in our peoples’ hearts and minds.

We must learn from the Mamasapano incident and let spring forth a stronger regime of peace instead of letting the tragic event be a catalyst for more violence, war, and terror.

It is “the better angels of our nature,” as Lincoln once said, that will help us decide what path to take.

 

First Published on Manila Bulletin

Transcript of Sen. Bam’s Interview in Davao

On Street Children and Juvenile Justice

Q: Sir, salamat po sa panahon. Would you like to share to us, Sir, kung anong ginawa ng Senado, or in your personal capacity, ano ho ang mga nagawa natin para sa mga streetchildren sa bansa?

Sen. Bam: Actually, tuluy-tuloy po ang pagtalakay sa isyu ng streetchildren sa Senado. In fact, iyong last hearing po tungkol diyan, iyong nabalita na noong pagdating ni Pope na may mga nilipon na mga street children tsaka street families.

We had a hearing about that noong nakaraang buwan.

Sa totoo rin lang po, ang isyu po ng street children po natin, nandiyan po iyan sa Committee on children. Hindi po ako ang chairman niyan, tayo po ang chairman ng Committee on Youth.

Kami naman po, we also tackle iyong mga gangsterism, napag-uusapan natin na kung hindi maalagaan ang street children natin, baka umabot sila sa mga gangs.

Tingin ko naman po, at the end of the day, babalik at babalik pa rin po tayo sa economic reasons kung bakit po may street children.

Kung mayroon pong magandang trabaho o negosyo ang kanilang mga magulang, they’ll be less likely to be street children, magkakaroon po sila ng pagkakataon para makapag-eskuwela.

That’s really where they should be.  Kung saan po talaga dapat iyong mga kabataan natin. Hindi ho dapat talaga nasa kalsada. Dapat po nasa eskuwelahan.

Kung mayroon pong mga programa para makakuha ng trabaho ang kanilang mga magulang, magandang negosyo.
In fact, iyong 4Ps program natin, iyong DSWD program, tinatawag po iyang conditional cash transfer, iyong kondisyon po riyan, ang mga anak po ninyo wala dapat sa kalsada, dapat nasa eskuwelahan.

May mga programa naman po tayo, but I guess, pagdating sa implementasyon, kailangan talagang ma-fast track natin na mas maraming trabaho at negosyo iyong ating mga pamilyang Pilipino para less po ang pagkakaroon ng street children sa ating mga lungsod.

Q: Iyon pong mga revision sa juvenile justice law, lalong lalo na sa age, what do you say?

Sen. Bam: Ako, I’m not in favor of that. Alam ko naging mainit na usapin iyan dito. Ngayon po kasi nasa 15 years old iyong age of discernment.

May mga grupong nagbabalak na gawin iyong 12 years old. Pero parang mabigat naman po yata masyado na 12 years old pa lang, bibigyan mo na ng penalties ang isang bata na kaparehas ng penalties ng isang adult.

I think kailangan ho nating ma-implement nang maayos  iyong ating juvenile justice law.

Nakalagay po roon na dapat may mga sentro, mga rehabilitation center para sa mga kabataan natin. Masasabi naman natin na hindi pa gaanong ka-implemented iyon.

Iyong paghihiwalay sa mga bata sa matatanda kapag hinuhuli, hindi naman ito nai-implement sa ibang lugar. Kailangan pong ma-implement iyon nang maayos.

Anyway po, iyong 12 years old to 15 years old, puwedeng tingnan talaga ang krimen ang ginawa. Pero just to bring it down to 12, palagay ko kailangan munang ma-implement ang batas na iyon.

On BBL

Q: May I segue sa hottest na tanong ngayon. Ano ho ang peg ng mga senador natin sa Bangsamoro Basic Law vis a vis sa Board of Inquiry. Mayroon na po ba kayong kopya ng resolusyon?

Sen. Bam: Wala pa po. Tuluy-tuloy pa po ang mga imbestigasyon. Sa amin po sa Senado, natapos na po ang hearing. I think the committee report of the committee on public order, lalabas na po iyon in the next couple of weeks.

Marami pong nag-aabang ngayon doon. Doon sa committee report na iyon, talagang mapagdu-dugtong dugtong iyong mga kuwento at masasabi ho natin kung sino ba ang accountable at ano pa po ang kailangang next steps para makakuha tayo ng hustisya para sa ating kapulisan.

Pagdating naman po sa BBL, tuluy-tuloy naman po iyong pag-uusap tungkol diyan. I think iyong isang misconception ng maraming mga kapwa Pilipino po natin, na all or nothing itong batas na ito.

Kumbaga po, either 100 percent o zero percent. But the truth is, ang proseso po ng pagtalakay nito ay dadaan talaga sa tamang proseso.

So magkakaroon pa po iyan ng amendments, magkakaroon ng mga  pagbabago, papalakasin, lilinawin, ang ibang kataga at salita diyan.

Even the Senate President po natin, sinabi rin niya na kailangang maayos ang constitutionality issues.

Kung mayroong mga bagay-bagay na hindi tumutugma sa ating Constitution, kailangan talaga munang ayusin bago lumabas.

So, I predict ho na mahaba-haba pa po ang prosesong iyan. Kailangan talagang talakayin. In fact, bago pa po nangyari ang trahedya sa Mamasapano, marami na pong IP groups ang lumapit sa amin.

Alam ninyo, adopted po ako ten tribes ng Davao City. Kaya malapit na malapit po ang IPs sa akin. Sabi nila, Senator Bam, siguraduhin mo naman sa BBL, hindi mapeperhuwisyo ang ating indigenous people.

Marami naman po talagang mga pagdadaanan pa. Ang mahalaga po ngayon, kung ang taumbayan nga nakatutok po dito, huwag lang po sanang all or nothing.

Tingnan po muna natin kung ano sa mga probisyon ang dapat ituloy, dapat baguhin, dapat palakasin o di kaya’y dapat tanggalin.

I think that process, kung lahat po ng taumbayan nakatingin po, posible pong mas magandang batas ang ilalabas ng Senado at Kongreso.

Q: I hope the MILF also acknowledges the need na siyempre may mga amendments din naman.

Sen. Bam: I think, at the end of the day, kung dadaan ka sa proseso ng Senado at Kongreso, wala namang lumalabas diyan na as is. Kaya nga kami nandito, kung as is yan, nagka-Senado at Kongreso ka pa.

Kailangan talagang dumaan iyan sa proseso and ngayon nga pong mainit ang usapin, maganda pong mag-voice out ang mga kababayan po natin tungkol dito.

Iyong mommy ko po taga-Davao so iyong Mindanao bloc po ng mga senador, nandiyan po si Senator Pimentel na Cagayan de Oro, si Sen. Guingona ng Bukidnon and I consider myself as part of Davao.

Sabi ko, siyempre dapat taga-Mindanao din ang nagli-lead dito, sa usaping ito. Hindi naman maganda na ang BBL, na ang apektado ay taga-Mindanao, ay mga taga-Metro Manila iyong nag-uusap.

I think, the voice of Mindanao should really come out, hindi lang sa Muslim areas natin kundi sa buong Mindanao talaga. The voice should come out para mas maayos na batas ang BBL.

Q: Would you like to react on those who call for the President to say I’m sorry and even to the extent of resigning.

Sen. Bam: Unang una po, I think within a few days, sinabi naman po ni Presidente Aquino na he is responsible for everything. Sinabi na ho niya iyan. Ako ang responsable dito, ako ang commander in chief.

Baka nakalimutan lang ho nakalimutan lang ng mga taong nagtatawag na he takes accountability na nasabi na ho niya iyan. Sabi nga ho nila, action speaks louder than words.

Makikita naman po natin iyong dami ng oras na talagang binigay niya doon sa ating SAF, doon sa pamilya ng ating fallen policemen. Tingin ko naman po, the sincerity is there.

Doon naman po sa pagtawag ng pag-resign o ouster o coup d’etat, palagay ko naman po hindi iyan ang solusyon para makakuha ng hustisya sa ating kapulisan. Hindi po iyon ang solusyon para makakuha ng kapayapaan.

To be very frank rin, if we’re looking at our country, iyong takbo po ng ekonomiya, ito pong Davao City, booming na booming po talaga, napakaganda po ng takbo. Hindi po talaga makakabuti ang ganoong klaseng instability.

I think ang mahalaga po diyan, iyong ating institutions, kung mature na po tayo na demokrasya, kailagang ipakita na ang institusyon natin, may kakayahang magdulot ng hustisya para sa ating kapulisan.

They should be able to provide the justice, and at the end of the day, iyong iba’t ibang institusyon, nandiyan naman po ang Senado, Kongreso, BOI po ng PNP, tuluy-tuloy naman po iyong aming pagtatrabaho.

We will ensure that there is justice for the SAF 44 and at the same time, magkaroon po tayo ng lasting peace. Hindi po ang pag-resign ng presidente ang solusyon diyan.

On Duterte 2016

Q: You see Mayor Duterte in the horizon in 2016 perhaps. Anong tsansa na may isang Mindanaoan na sasali naman?

Sen. Bam: Alam ninyo, ako pangarap ko talaga na lahat ng tumatakbo para pagka-presidente, lahat ho magagaling. At iyong taumbayan, pipili na lang sila kung ano ang gusto nila.

Usually ho ang eleksyon sa Pilipinas, sino ba dito ang magnanakaw, sino iyong ang hindi magnanakaw.

It talks of mature democracy kung iyong mga tumatakbo iba iba talaga ang maibibigay nila sa ating bayan.

I think si Mayor po, pag andito naman ako sa Davao, lagi naman po kaming nagkikita rin. Iyong mommy ko po, naging teacher iyong nanay niya. Iyong lolo’t lola ko, naging teacher din niya.

If he throws his hat into the ring, I think it will be a welcome addition. At least iyong taumbayan po natin, magkakaroon ng options, magkakaroon ng pagpipilian na magagaling.

Of course, sasabihin ko lang po na kasama po ako sa partido but kung tatakbo po siya, it would be very welcome sa ating bansa.

Q: Any parting word po para sa mga taga-Davao, who’s watching the Senate in action?

Sen. Bam: Kadalasan po, kung babasahin po natin iyong diyaryo, feeling ho natin na ang trabaho ng Senado, puro lang imbestigasyon.

But actually marami naman po kaming tinatalakay. Last year, napasa po natin ang Go Negosyo Act, iyong isang batas na tutulong sa ating maliliit na entrepreneur.

Sabi nga natin kanina, iyong mga street children, kung may mga trabaho at negosyo ang kanilang pamilya, walang street children tayo. So may focus pa rin po tayo pagdating sa economic benefits ng ating bayan.

Napasa rin po naming ang Philippine Lemon Law, ang batas na nagpoprotekta sa mga bumibili ng kotse.

This year, may mga napasa na rin tayo on third reading. Hinihintay na lang po natin ang Congress version.

Iyong Youth Entrepreneurship Bill na magbibigay ng tulong sa mga kabataan na makapag-negosyo, malapit na pong maging batas, pagdasal po natin.

Iyong Competition Bill, iyon ho, anti-monopoly, anti-trust bill. Seventy years in the making na po iyan, napasa po natin iyan sa Senado.

Iyong batas po na magbubukas ng ports natin sa foreign ships, napasa po namin iyan sa Senado.

If that becomes law at magkaroon po ng Congress version, iyong ating Davao port dito, puwede nang puntahan ng foreign ships. Mas magmumura ang ating importing at exporting. Posible pong magmura ang presyo ng ating mga bilihin.

These are important laws, aside from the investigations, lahat po iyan ginagawa po naming para sa taumbayan.

Q: One follow up sir, SK reform?

Sen. Bam: Yes, napasa rin po natin iyan. Alam ninyo po, dahil nga po sa trahedya sa Mamasapano, hindi na po napag-uusapan ang ginagawa ng Senate.

We passed on third reading napasa na po sa Senado, hinihintay na lang po naming ang Congress version.

Iyong SK Reform Bill, tinataas po iyong edad from 15 to 17 to 18 to 24. Naglagay po kami ng anti-dynasty provision sa SK, hindi na po puwede na anak ng barangay captain or anak ng councilor o mayor.

Mandatory training tsaka ang tinatawag nating Local Youth Development Council na tutulong sa SK para magawa ang kanyang trabaho.  Iyon po, composed ng youth leaders mula sa eskuwelahan, simbahan at iba’t ibang community organizations.

Kung maging batas po ito, next time  na magkaroon tayo ng SK, which is 2016, mas magiging epektibo po sila at mas mapoprotektahan sila sa traditional politics.

Sen. Bam Eyes Medal of Valor for Mamasapano Survivors As Well

Aside from the Fallen 44, a senator recommends  to bestow the Medal of Valor to the Special Action Force (SAF) officers and other personnel who survived the Mamasapano encounter as well.

 

In his Senate Resolution No. 1180, Senator Bam Aquino said 31 SAF officers were wounded in the January 25 encounter against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

 

In addition, one member of the 55th SAF Company and 30 members of the Seaborne United of the 84th SAF company sustained injuries as they held off elements of the MILF and the BIFF.

 

“The death of the PNP-SAF officers and all those wounded in the police operations should serve as a continuing reminder that the ultimate purpose of the government is to protect their citizens,” Sen. Bam said.

 

However, the SAF suffered heavy casualty, losing 44 men in a daring operation that led to the killing of international terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan.

 

Sen. Bam said the sacrifice of these uniformed men as they carried out their duties to protect the citizenry and maintain peace and order in the country deserves no less than the Medal of Valor and the benefits and entitlement that goes with it, under Republic Act No. 9049.

 

“The outstanding act of bravery of these soldiers in the most dangerous combat circumstances only shows the quality of the country’s uniformed men in the service of the Filipino people,” Sen. Bam said.

 

Earlier, Sen. Bam filed a resolution seeking to posthumously award the Medal of Valor to the 44 SAF officers for their exemplary courage and heroism.

 

“Their mission was accomplished and that the country became a safer place because of them,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

 

The Medal of Valor entitles the widower and/or dependents of the awardee to a lifetime monthly gratuity and precedence in employment in National Government Agencies (NGAs) or Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) among other benefits.

 

“Through this recognition, it is our hope that the nation will never forget what they’ve sacrificed for and be an inspiration for our fellow Filipinos to continue serving our country,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Bam Aquino’s Statement on the Video Showing the Death of SAF 44

We strongly condemn the gruesome killing and barbaric atrocities done to our Special Action Force members in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

In the strongest possible terms, we call on the MILF to surrender the combatants and submit them to the appropriate processes of our justice system.

Their leadership should also attend the ongoing Senate hearings and answer the difficult questions that plague our nation.

The road to peace must not set aside justice and accountability.

Senate Bill No. 2603: Mamasapano Truth Commission

On January 25, 2015, while on a mission to serve arrest warrants to two suspected terrorists – Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah leader, Zulkifli bin tilr also known as “Marwan” and Filipino bomb maker, Abdulbasit Usman, forty-four (44) members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) died, With twelve (12) getting injured in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, during an armed conflicct with other armed elements, which allegedly included the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).”

The facts and Circumstances remain unclear as to how this unfortunate event occurred.

This bill creates a fact-finding commission, to be called the “Mamasapano Truth Commission,” that will have plenary powers to investigate and report upon this tragedy. This tragedy has far-reaching consequences and implications, which strike at the very heart of the Nation, and may impede the ongoing peace process between the National Government and the MILF. An Independent and Impartial Commission is therefore necessary to enable us to get to the bottom of this tragedy.

Forty-four of our bravest elite police force perished in the grisly encounter, and twelve (12) remain suffering because of their injuries. The creation of this Commission shall be our humble way of honoring our fallen heroes, who served the country with excellence, valor and patriotism. We should not allow their deaths or injuries be in vain.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this measure is urgently sought.

 

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Transcript of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Interview at the KOMPRe People’s Conference in San Fernando, Pampanga

On the Fallen 44 and the Bangsamoro Basic Law

Sisikapin naming magkaroon ng hustisya para sa mga kasamahan natin na pinatay. Of course, kasama ako sa sumuporta sa Bangsamoro Basic Law. Ang hangarin natin na magkaroon ng kapayapaan, tuluy-tuloy pa rin naman iyan.

In the meantime na nangyari na ang trahedyang ito, hanapin muna natin iyong hustisya. Tingnan natin kung sino ba iyong kailangang managot dito on both sides.

Sabi ko nga, both sides are accountable. Hanapin natin kung sino ba talaga iyong dapat ma-charge, dapat maaresto. 

Siguraduhin natin na mangyari ang hustisya.

Q: Iyong hearing po ba itutuloy?

A: Tuloy ang hearing. That’s going to be on Wednesday.

Gaya ng maraming Pilipino, gusto po nating malaman kung ano talaga ang nangyari. Sino ang nag-utos, bakit sila napunta sa ganoong klaseng perhuwisyo at bakit nagpatuloy ang bakbakan nang ganoong katagal.

Marami sa atin ang na-shock, nagalit, nagdalamhati dahil sa nangyari.

Ang taumbayan po natin, naghahanap ng hustisya para sa ating mga kapatid na namatay, hahanapin po natin iyan.

Q: Sa hearing, sino po ang ipatatawag?

A: Probably from both sides ang tatawagin. I think ilalabas pa nila ang invitations so we’ll find out.

 I’m hoping na lahat ng taong involved, nandoon talaga para malaman natin kung ano talaga ang nangyari.

Q: Sir, iyong sa pag-surrender ng arms ng MILF?

A: Hindi lang arms at personal effects ang hinahanap ng taumbayan. Ako nga I would even go as far as to say na kailangang i-turnover ang mga taong involved dito

Q: Gaano po ito makakaapekto sa Bangsamoro Basic Law?

A: Malaking epekto ito talaga. I’m sure the bill might be modified, amended or changed dahil sa nangyari.

But hindi ibig sabihin noon, kailangang pigilin natin ang proseso. We need to still push for peace.

At the end of the day, ayaw na nating maulit ito ulit. Kung maghihiganti tayo, kung lulusubin natin ang lugar, it will just create a cycle of violence.

Kailangan ng ating mga kapatid na namatay ay hustisya, hindi paghihiganti.

Q: Gaano po kahalaga ang BBL para ma-attain ang kapayapaan, compared po sa sinasabi ni Mayor Estrada na all-out war?

A: Sa all-out war ni Mayor Erap, di hamak na mas maraming namatay. Hindi lang 44 iyong namatay doon, mas marami pang namatay. Iyon ang ayaw nating mangyari.

I think if we push for the peace measures, ang kalalabasan niyan is hindi na mauulit itong ganitong klase ng massacre o ganitong klaseng trahedya.

Hinahanap ng taumbayan ngayon ang hustisya. Hinahanap niya ang totoong impormasyon sa totoong nangyari. Naririto ang Senado para matulungang makamit iyon.

At the end of the day, huwag sana nating pakawalan ang kapayapaan dahil sa kagustuhan nating magkaroon ng vengeance.

Statement of Sen. Bam Aquino on the Encounter of the PNP-SAF with MILF

We deeply condole with the families of the Philippine National Police (PNP) officers who perished in Sunday’s clash with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao.

The PNP leadership must ensure that the benefits of these fallen police officers will be provided to their families the soonest possible time.

At the same time, the PNP must launch a thorough investigation into the incident and find ways to avoid similar encounters in the future.

The lives of our police officers must not be compromised. Both parties must account for the lives lost.

We must not allow this tragedy to be an obstacle to our efforts for lasting peace in Mindanao.

Bam: BBL Should Be Pro-Poor, Pro-Business

Senator Bam Aquino calls on fellow lawmakers to focus on the provisions that will spur jobs and livelihood of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to ensure that the growth it expected to bring to the region will be inclusive to all Mindanaoans.

“The BBL’s economic provisions must be thoroughly scrutinized to make sure that all Mindanaoans will truly benefit from the growth that they’ve been waiting for a long time,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

If enacted into law, the BBL is expected to usher in lasting peace in Mindanao with the creation of a Bangsamoro entity, led by officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Aside from peace and order, Sen. Bam believes that the BBL will boost economic activity in the region, resulting in more jobs and livelihood for the poor people in the region.

“With the anticipated development in the region’s peace and order, local and foreign investors will see Mindanao as the next best business destination due to its untapped potential, hardowrking and innovative citizenry and vast natural resources,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam said the influx of investors will lead to fresh jobs and livelihoods in the region, giving Mindanaoans a chance to provide for the needs of their families and get out of poverty.

“The opportunity for every Filipino to earn for themselves and for their families must be realized through the BBL,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

In addition, Sen. Bam said the BBL will hasten agricultural development and modernization and address the looming power supply problem in the region.

Senate President Franklin Drilon earlier announced that it will prioritize the passage of the BBL, on top of other economic-related bills.

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