COTABATO CITY –President Rodrigo Duterte urged the Moro community to vote “yes” to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the upcoming plebiscite on January 21 and February 6.
“Magboto kayo ng yes (You vote yes),” Duterte to a huge roaring crowd during the Peace Assembly for the Ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law inside Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), Office of the Regional Governor (ORG) Compound.
Duterte said the Moro people must use the plebiscite as a peaceful means to finally correct the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro.
“Your approval of this law will not just serve as an expression of your desire to end more than half a century of armed struggle in the region,” the President said, adding that “this will also serve as a testament of your determination to bring genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao through an autonomous government that truly represents and understands the needs of its people.”
The President said the BOL would pave the way for fair and just distribution of land and resources in Mindanao and eventually achieve lasting peace.
Duterte said the law is the product of a “long and rigorous process” involving “meaningful and exhaustive” consultations with Mindanao stakeholders particularly the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“I am thus proud to say that the BOL has undergone comprehensive analysis and thorough review to ensure that once implemented, it will lead to better governance, inclusive political empowerment, and enhanced systems for transparency and accountability,” he said.
He said with the BOL, Mindanao can finally enjoy lasting peace and inclusive progress that will benefit everybody.
Last year, the President signed into law the Bangsamoro Organic Law or RA No. 11054, “an act providing for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).”
The people of the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cotabato City, Isabela City, Basilan will have their plebiscite on January 21 while some towns of Lanao del Norte and barangays in North Cotabato are set to exercise their right to vote in a referendum on February 6 to ratify the BOL.
