Protection Of Religious Freedom Central To Bangsamoro Law Passage

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella heads the Philippine delegation to the 1st Ministerial Forum to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C., USA. Undersecretary Abella highlighted the commitment of the Philippines to its citizens’ right to freedom of religion, the rehabilitation of Marawi City, and the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. (Washington, D.C. PE photo)

02 August 2018 – Protecting the people's right to freedom of religion and belief is a core principle of the recently signed Bangsamoro Organic Law that serves as the roadmap to lasting peace in the southern Philippines.

This was underscored by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella in his remarks at the 1st Ministerial Forum to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington D.C. last week.

"One of the important objectives of this roadmap is the passage of the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which we believe is key to bringing genuine peace, economic progress, and inclusive growth in Mindanao," said Undersecretary Abella, who represented Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano in the event.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 26 in Manila, seeks to establish a political entity called the Bangsamoro.

Among the salient features of the law are the implementation of Shari'ah law to cases involving Muslims, the 75 to 25 wealth-sharing term in favor of the Bangsamoro, and the annual block grant of five percent in the net national internal revenue.

“This is a recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and aspiration of Muslim Filipinos, and all indigenous cultural communities in the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao," the Undersecretary said.

In the same speech, Undersecretary Abella highlighted the Duterte Administration’s commitment to the rehabilitation of Marawi.

"We are committed to helping Marawi rise as a prosperous city again,” the Undersecretary said, citing the formation of Task Force Bangon Marawi, which is tasked to fast-track the implementation of the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas.

The Duterte administration, he added, has set a long-term vision for the Philippines as a "high-trust society where families thrive in vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient communities," with peace and security play a vital role.

Hosted by the US Department of State, around 80 representatives of government and international organizations from all over the world attended the international meeting, where delegations made a commitment to uphold religious freedom and proposed plans of action to forward the cause.

Undersecretary Abella led the Philippine delegation to the meeting and was joined by Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Patrick Chuasoto and Minister for Political and Legislative Affairs Rosanna Villamor-Voogel. END