(MENAFN- Gulf Times) President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that his push for a federal form of government does not have enough public support.
He however, maintained that a shift to the federal system should begin by granting wider autonomy to Muslim Mindanao through the Bangsamoro Basic Law, or else the Moro rebels would again be forced to take up arms.
'Problem is Filipinos are not ready for a federal type. It doesn't seem to ring a bell in the Visayas and Mindanao. But…I don't want to…but you already know that if nothing happens to the peace talks, you (reporters) would be there in Mindanao covering a terrible situation in our country, the president said in remarks during a Christmas party with Malacañang reporters Tuesday night.
The proposed Bangsamoro measure, which languished in Congress during the previous administration, was the product of a March 2014 peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The president said the ageing leaders of the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were tired of armed struggle.
'The ageing echelons of the [MILF] and the [MNLF], they want to go out in a better position; a state wherein they have done something for the country. They want to end the armed conflict, Duterte said.
The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law was crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission dominated by MILF men, and submitted to Congress by the palace in August.
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