Public misinformed about Bangsamoro law: Ferrer

MANILA – Government peace panel chief negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer is not happy with the recent Pulse Asia survey on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

In a statement, Ferrer said while the Pulse Asia survey conducted after the January 25 Mamasapano clash revealed that 88% of the respondents are aware of the BBL, this ''is based on misinformation on the actual contents of the BBL."

''If you ask people if they want the Bangsamoro to have a separate police and army and not be audited by the COA, naturally they will say no. If you ask them if they want the Bangsamoro to separate from the country, you will get the same answer,'' Ferrer said.

''But that is not what the BBL says. What the BBL provides is the exact opposite. We hope that the mass media will help us correct all the misinformation."

With the news about the Mamasapano clash still hogging the headlines, Pulse Asia reported that virtually all Filipinos (99%) are aware of the January 25 carnage.

The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from March 1 to 7, revealed that 44% of Filipinos are opposed to the passage of the BBL.

The Mamasapano clash has threatened to derail the passage of the BBL as it cast doubts on the sincerity of the MILF and its commitment to the peace process.

The clash has also magnified the supposedly unconstitutional provisions in the BBL, holding back legislators from passing the proposed measure within the deadline.

BBL critics say the creation of Bangsamoro versions of constitutional commissions, as provided in the proposed measure, is against the Constitution.

They also allege that the BBL will give the Bangsamoro minister great influence over the police in the proposed Bangsamoro region The government peace panel has repeatedly denied this, saying the Bangsamoro police will still be under the control of the Philippine National Police.