Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Meeting with Local Leaders and the Community at the PAG-ASA Gymnasium in Barangay F.E, Marcos, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday expressed his frustration over the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which he said was deliberately derailed by opposition senators.
In his speech during the 30th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the President recalled the excesses committed by former president Ferdinand Marcos to Muslim Filipinos during Martial Law.
He said Marcos and his minions seized lands and tolerated those who committed abuses.
“Imbes na katarungan ang gawing tugon, o gumawa ng batas para isaayos ang sitwasyon, Philippine Constabulary at Sandatahang Lakas ang itinulak na solusyon,” he said.
With regards to the Mindanao peace process, the Chief Executive said the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have come up with the Framework Agreement and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and have worked hard to pass the BBlL.
The President said it is regrettable that the BBL, which is expected to bring lasting peace to the region, has not been passed by Congress.
“Nanghihinayang ako, dahil ang tanging batas na maghahatid ng katarungan at kapayapaan, sadya pa po talagang hinarang,” he said.
“At di po ba: Ang BBL, naipit sa Senado sa kumite para sa lokal na gobyerno, na pinamumunuan ni Senador (Bongbong) Marcos? Di ba nung pinakahuling araw ng sesyon, tuloy pa rin ang pag-interpellate ni Senador (Juan Ponce) Enrile? At di po ba, itong dalawang apelyido ding ito ang siyang nagtulak ng military solution para sa mga Moro noong panahon ng diktadurya?”
President Aquino pointed out that many of those who were abused during the Martial Law years understand what Muslims in Mindanao have gone through.
“Kami mismong mag-anak, humarap sa matinding pang-aabuso ng nasa kapangyarihan,” he said.
The President also noted that Martial Law sowed discontent among the people, resulting in communist insurgency during those years.
From 60 individuals, the ranks of the New People’s Army (NPA) swelled to 25,000 after martial rule, threatening the country’s security, he said, adding that Davao even became the urban laboratory of the NPA, the insurgents prepared to attack different cities in the country.
The President also urged the people to guard the country’s freedom and democracy as some Marcos loyalists worked to erase the abuses and wrongdoings of the past.
He also appealed to young Filipinos to study the history of the EDSA People Power Revolution to avoid a repeat of the faults committed during Martial Law. PND (as)