MARAWI CITY (MindaNews / 29 July) – Inside a small, dark office, five young Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels gathered around a small TV set to watch the State of the Nation Address by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III last Monday.
They were eager and did not mind the cramp of the small room, munching on leftover food from the Eid ul Fitr earlier in the day.
The MILF rebels covered their faces as they showed the journalists their firepower – AK 47s and M16 rifles.
Then they fell silent as soon as they saw President Aquino walking to the plenary hall of Congress to start his talk on the state of the nation.
“Sssh. Ayan na! tahimik na kayo!” barked their young leader who told the journalists that his name was Abdul Usman.
Gripping their firearms, the rebels watched President Aquino deliver his State of the Nation Address until it came to the part about the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
“Mahalaga pong maging masusi ang paghimay natin ng bawat probisyong ilalatag. Sa abot ng ating makakaya, isusulong natin ang isang panukalang batas na makatuwiran, makatarungan, at katanggap-tanggap sa lahat,” President Aquino said.
The President also said he liked Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law before this year ends to allow the transition to be implemented in the last one year and a half of his term.
Aquino devoted two paragraphs of his speech on the proposed law and a press statement from Malacañang released on July 27 said the President is set to certify the bill to Congress as urgent.
The young rebels looked at each other, clearly disappointed that President Aquino did not devoted much of his speech on the Bangsamoro issue.
“Yun lang? Nakaka-disappoint naman. Naghintay kami nag ilang oras pagkatapos yun lang. Di man lang umabot ng limang minuto,” Usman lamented.
Usman said many young MILF members wanted that the Bangsamoro problem will end with finality so they can move on with their lives.
He said they are concerned after they were told by their leadership about the unresolved issues on the draft.
“We will wait for our leadership. We are sure there will be some consultations,” Usman said.
But civil society groups are optimistic that President Aquino can deliver his promise to end the war in Mindanao.
Ryan Rosauro, secretary general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus, said the President’s speech “speak volumes” despite being short.
“In fact it was a welcome development. The President has already set the time schedule,” he said.
Rosauro said the President stated that he expected Congress will pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law before the year ends.
He said Aquino also set a timetable for the transition to start early next year.
“The President’s speech is okay by me. It set the targets,” Rosauro said.
Zabria Muti-Mapandi, executive of the Al-Mujadilah Development Foundation, said she too was satisfied with President Aquino’s speech, especially the part about being just, right and that is acceptable for all the stakeholders.
“I for one want a law that is beneficial for all and aptly end the war,” Mapandi said.
Fr. Teresito Suganob, vicar general of the Prelature of Saint Mary in Marawi City, said entire families listened to the President’s SONA on Monday.
“Maranaos have pinned so much hope that the war will finally come to an end,” Suganob said.
He said everyone is holding his breath on the outcome of the peace process.
“No one wants to go back fighting. So many have pinned their hopes to this peace process,” Suganob said.
