BBL will not be passed untouched

The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is not going to leave Congress unchanged, especially after the Mamasapano incident that has raised concerns over the powers that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would have, according to Sen. Francis Escudero.

Peace negotiators have expressed fears that Congress might dilute the BBL as a result of the killing of 44 elite police commandos in a clash with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, on Jan. 25.

But Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Thursday that dilution was not the correct term.

We have to modify and look at each provision carefully, Drilon told reporters. It will not be passed untouched.

Sen. Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Escudero remains a coauthor of the BBL, but told reporters on Thursday that the draft law would have to go through much debate and discussion and that the MILF and the government peace panels have much to explain.

Escudero added his voice to those castigating and calling for the replacement of the governments peace negotiators for supposedly siding with the MILF, unless they start speaking up for the government.

Congress has suspended deliberations on the draft BBL amid widespread public anger over the tragedy that ended the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) counterterrorism operation to capture Jemaah Islamiyah bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, and his Filipino lieutenant, Basit Usman.

The SAF commandos killed Marwan, but lost 44 of their own in clashes with guerrillas from the MILF and its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), on their way out of Mamasapano.

Eighteen MILF guerrillas and five civilians were also killed in the daylong gun battle.

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BBL will not be passed untouched