MANILA - With good timing and backing from a popular president, a proposed law creating a new Bangsamoro government in Mindanao can finally be passed, the leader of the country's largest Muslim rebel group said Tuesday.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was encouraged by President Rodrigo Duterte's assurance on Monday that he would "husband" the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, said the group's chairman Murad Ebrahim.

"We see that the President is persistent in pushing for the BBL and establishing the Bangsamoro," he told ABS-CBN News.

Murad acknowledged that timing was important to the fate of the BBL, which went through congressional deliberations during the tailend of the previous administration.

By that time, legislators were preparing for the elections and then President Benigno Aquino III's political clout was seen as significantly weaker.

"We all know that the President, the popularity of the President is still very high at this point in time," Murad said.

EXTREMISM

The killing of 44 members of an elite police unit in Mamasapano, Maguindanao also turned public opinion against the BBL, which would implement the peace agreement the the MILF struck with the Aquino government in 2014.

The group clashed with some MILF combatants while trying to capture two high-profile terrorists in the area.

"We see that everybody realized the importance of having a peace settlement of the conflict in Mindanao.. especially (with the issue of) extremism," Murad said.

Another challenge was the raging conflict in Marawi City, which left more than 500 people dead and displaced thousands of residents.

Duterte already sought an extended martial rule in Mindanao as government troops continue to battle ISIS-affiliated militants.

Murad said the MILF had been informed by Malacañang of a possible extension of martial law and assured the group that it would not affect peace efforts in Mindanao.

MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION

Duterte's peace adviser, Secretary Jesus Dureza, mentioned the possibility during the celebration in Malacañang marking the end of Ramadan last June 27, the MILF leader said.

Murad said he told Dureza it was up to the President's "analysis of the situation."

Duterte earlier assured the MILF "the peace process will not be affected by martial law" soon after he issued the declaration for Mindanao last May 23, Murad said.

"Ang tingin namin as long as hindi naman maabuso ang martial law, siguro nakikita nila na ito ang paraan para mapanatili yung katahimikan," he told ABS-CBN News.

(As long as martial law is not abused, it can be seen as a way to attain peace.)

Congress is set to meet in joint session on Saturday to discuss Duterte's extension request. The 60-day martial rule ends Saturday.

"Nakikita naman namin na kailangan din ng strong hand at this point in time to deal... especially with the extremist group," Murad said.

(We saw the need for a strong hand at this point in time in the deal... especially with the extremist group.)