Among the good news carried by the Inquirer in the past few weeks the decommissioning or turnover to government of firearms and heavy weapons by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is the best. It augurs lasting peace which until now remains elusive in Mindanao. Congress must show its sincerity and respond by approving the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Failing in this, the Bangsamoro people are likely to resort again to hostilities, and peace would possibly elude us for another 100 years.
As a guerrilla veteran of World War II who witnessed atrocities committed by Japanese occupation forces against civilians, I urge our legislators to please iron out their disagreements on the BBL for the sake of our brother Filipino Moros and help attain that elusive lasting peace for Mindanao.
On the other hand, the Bangsamoro autonomous entity should also help and cooperate with the national government to maintain lasting peace and thus provide a model for other troubled areas in the country to emulate.
—GODOFREDO O. PETEZA, district veterans president, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Camarines Norte Veterans District-Region 5, JP Rizal Street, Daet, Camarines Norte