Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has passed draft law that gives autonomy to the west of Mindano island which is located in the south of the country and the islands around Mindano where Muslims predominantly live. IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation deputy president and Independent Monitoring Committee member Huseyin Oruc also participated in the draft law’s submission ceremony.

"The Greatest Antidote for Extremism”

Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) President and MILF deputy president Gazali Cafer said in the ceremony that was held in presidential palace in Manila "This law is going to be an antidote for violence and extremism.” Meanwhile Duterte expressed that he is glad for the draft’s submission and promised he will support the draft to pass in the congress to end the injustice and oppression that has been going on for ages via establishment of Bangsamoro autonomous government.

MILF President Hajı Murad Ibrahim said in his speech “everyone wants a just and dignified peace.”

 “Hopefully This Peace Happens”

IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation deputy president and Independent Monitoring Committee member Huseyin Oruc who was in charge of monitoring the peace talks between MILF and Philippines government commented on the submission of the draft to Philippines president Duterte.

Oruç pointed out another draft, which was prepared during the term of office of the previous president, failed to pass in the congress and this time around the draft was submitted with a stronger backing from high ranking participation from MILF led by Haji Murad Ibrahim as well as head of senate and parliament.  

During the meeting the community leaders from Muslim and Christian parties made speeches. Oruç highlighted that "Once again we have witnessed that be it Christian or Muslim everyone wants peace, a just and dignified peace. We hope it will happen this time.”

Road Map

According to the road map that was agreed upon the parties will lobby to pass the draft law from the congress until December. Duterte will present the draft to the parliament under “emergency” code to prioritize its negotiations. The draft is expected to be endorsed by the parliament by the end of the year.

Afterwards, the law will go into referendum between January and May 2018. The locals in the region concerned will go to the ballot box to finalize the decision of implementing this law.  Following the endorsement of the Basic Law Bangramoro Transition Commission will be set up which will then carry the new political system into the first independent elections.

What Happened in Bangsamoro?

The civil war that has been going on over the past four decades in Philippines ended with execution of an agreement that granted many rights to the local Muslims monitored by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation.

During the civil war between MILF which was been fighting for independence for 40 years and Philippines government over 120.000 people lost their lives and the initial agreement was signed in 2012 after 17-year long on an off peace talks.