NANAWAGAN si dating Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan III sa mga mamamayan na makiisa sa gagawing prayer rally sa Rizal Park (Luneta) bukas laban sa isinusulong ng pamahalaang Aquino na pagpapatupad ng kontrobersiyal na Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
“Millions of Filipinos oppose the BBL because it betrays the public trust, violates the Constitution, undermines national sovereignty and places public safety and internal security at grave risk,” ayon sa pahayag ni Alunan. “The BBL is foreseen to spark more armed conflict based on the war rhetoric we hear from aggrieved parties in Muslim Mindanao – themselves Filipinos who happen to be Muslims, Lumads and Christians – who are not MILF, the sole exclusive beneficiary of the peace process.”
Idaraos ang prayer rally mula 8:30 ng umaga hanggang 12 ng tanghali upang manalangin na matuklasan ng mga mambabatas ang nararapat at wasto nilang gawin hinggil sa BBL.
“Every Filipino seeks an enduring peace, but not one obtained furtively and ignores the red flags that could further fragment society, dismember the country and cause more bloodshed,” diin ni Alunan.”Exclusion is in itself an injustice. The Comprehensive Agreement on BangsaMoro and the BangsaMoro Basic Law (CAB-BBL), as originally submitted to Congress, should be stoutly opposed and rejected.”
Ayon sa naging miyembro ng Gabinete ni dating pangulong Fidel Ramos magdudulot pa nang higit na kaguluhang politikal, kultural at pang-ekonomiyang suliranin kung maisasabatas ang BBL.
“We implore our people’s representatives, to do what is right for the sake of our people and the nation’s future. The Philippines is not for sale. It is our home; it is sacred territory of past, present and future Filipinos,” paliwanag ni Alunan na matagal nang binabatikos ang pagpipilit ng Malacañang na maipasa ang naturang panukala. “It should not be bargained away for fallacious reasons or vested interests. We all must belong to One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag under One God.”
Kinuwestiyon ni Alunan ang katapatan ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) na malinaw na labis na makikinabang sakaling maipasa na ang BBL.
“At this late stage, the MILF has yet to openly declare that it renounces secession and pledges allegiance to the Philippines and has yet openly denounces radical Islamism and declares it harmful to peaceful co-existence. When will they openly sever their ties to Al Qaeda, Jema’ah Islamiya and other terror groups?” tanong ni Alunan.
Naniniwala rin si Alunan na kung malinis ang intensiyon ng MILF, dapat nang magpasya ang mga opisyal at miyembro na ibaba ang kanilang armas at makiisa sa ating pulisya at militar upang makamit ang kapayapaan.
Ipinaliwanag ni Alunan na upang makamit ang tunay na kahulugan ng kapayapaan, nararapat lamang maging bukas ang mata ng mga Pilipino at huwag balewalain ang mahalagang isyung ito hinggil sa kontrobersiya ng BBL.
“This is about the nation’s long-term future and the desire for a just and lasting peace, not one based on exclusion, lack of transparency, false assumptions, hidden agendas and political expediency,” dagdag ni Alunan. ”If you say Yes to Peace and No to BBL, please go and bring your families, relatives and friends too. I will be there in solidarity. Mabuhay ang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”