COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament has backed Moro legislators on their efforts to ensure the protection and welfare of Bangsamoro people living outside the region.
All Parliament members approved the resolution who were physically and virtually present at Thursday’s session.
The resolution, according to Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr. is a way for the BTA to show that “they have us supporting them.”
“It is necessary to monitor the progress of this case to ensure effective coordination surrounding the arrest,” stated in the resolution.
House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman, with the support of other Moro lawmakers, called for an investigation on the warrantless arrests of Muslims in Cavite in March.
Such operations are labelled as “kidnapping” by Basilan Congressman Hataman, who also stated that investigations would be conducted to prevent law officers’ from using violence and abusing their authority.
In February, authorities from National Intelligence Agency (NICA) and National Capital Region Police Officer (NCRPO) have illegally arrested 11 individuals in a construction site, including seven locals from the Basilan province.
It was explained in the resolution that “law enforcements allegedly asked the individuals who among them were Muslims.”
According to Bacoor police, the operation was part of the agencies’ verification of the alleged presence of Abu Sayyaf in the area.
Last year, a similar incident happened when two other Muslims were seized without search warrants and coordination with local government units.
Mentioned events prompted the Parliament to support the appeal of mentioned legislators in protecting and securing the general welfare of the Bangsamoro people outside the region’s borders.
The Bangsamoro Administrative Code states that the National Commission on Human Rights and its counterpart in the Bangsamoro may collaborate “to conduct joint investigations on human rights violations and abuses that occurred either outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region”. (Publication and Media Relations Division)