(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Peace advocates will rally in front of the House of Representatives today to call for the passage of a Bangsamoro basic law.
Once passed, the law will create a Bangsamoro political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In a statement posted on luwaran.com, the official website of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Mindanao Alliance for Peace spokesman Raby Angkal said: "A large gathering will be done in Manila where fellow Moros and peace partners will lead the peaceful assembly at Batasan complex."
Mindanao Alliance for Peace deputy spokesman Bobby Benito was quoted as saying: "Various groups of peace advocates; Muslims, Christians and indigenous people's leaders, civilians, former internally displaced families, civil society organisations and non-government organisations are expected to participate in the peace rally."
Benito said rallyists will appeal to Congress to fast-track deliberations and passage of the proposed basic law without delay.
"This is another enormous gathering of the people in Mindanao with a unified call for full support to the passage of BBL by Congress," he said.
Organisers sought to hold peace rallies in Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City, Davao City, North Cotabato, Marawi City, Lanao del Norte, Pagadian City, Zamboanga City, Isabela City, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Peace advocates used social networking sites and text messaging to gather support for the proposed Bangsamoro basic law.
In various parts of Mindanao, thousands of rallyists called on Congress to immediately pass the proposed Bangsamoro basic law.
Organisers said the rallies were meant to show that sectors in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory look forward to the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity to replace the ARMM.
Rallyists carried placards appealing to "spoilers" to give the peace process a chance.
In Basilan, the 5,000 rallyists included members of the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), Bangsamoro Indigenous People's Caucus (BIPC), NGO the Ulamah Supreme Council (USC) and the women sector in the province.
Alton Angeles, Tipo-Tipo town planning coordinator, said the rallyists urged the immediate passage of the Basic Law in time for a plebiscite within the year for the Bangsamoro region to replace the ARMM.
Hamdie Tanjil, MAP provincial coordinator, said the passage of the Basic Law would mean foreign support for the development program in the areas included in the proposed Bangsamoro region.
"Once the development is hastened this will address also the peace and order situation as order and other programs are in place," Tajil said. "So there is a need to hasten the approval of the BBL."
Ahmad Al Amin, BIPC coordinator, said the passage of the Basic Law will give a chance to the BTC to hasten the transition from ARMM to the new Bangsamoro region before President Aquino steps down in 2016.
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