Moro Islamic Liberation Front

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

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.

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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