By Jelly F. Angara
MANILA, April 24 (PNA) – Former Senate President Edgardo Angara has expressed optimism that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be able to finish the peace process in Mindanao despite the fatal Mamasapano encounter that claims 67 lives, including 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers last Jan. 25.
”It is a terrible tragedy. But all hope is not lost. With patience and political will, we can still forge the fair, just, and enduring peace that everyone deserves,” Angara, father of incumbent Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, said in a press statement.
The former senator, who served the Cabinet of former President Joseph Estrada, is hoping that the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the MILF will bear fruit despite the negative impact brought about by the Mamasapano incident.
Angara, however, advised the lawmakers to carefully pass a well-studied Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to ensure the protection of the rights and interest of the Bangsamoro and the Philippine government.
“From what I’ve read, the Bangsamoro law allows for greater and more substantial autonomy, there will be more resources with which the Bangsamoro can realize their development,” the former University of the Philippines president said.
”More work needs to be done to assure the larger public and the local Christian community that their interests will also be respected,” he added.
He said there is also need to rush the passage of the BBL.
”There has to be more calm consultations, more sober discussions, more intensive studies. So much is at stake,” Angara said.
He warned that if the Senate and the House of Representatives will pass a BBL that is not well-scrutinized, “it will become even more divisive rather than a unifying charter.”
Despite being out of public office since 2013, Angara remains an active figure in public service and academe.
Angara is set to launch his biography book entitled “Edgardo J. Angara: In the Grand Manner” on April 29. (PNA)