President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday pitched for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) ahead of the plebiscite which will be conducted on January 21 and February 6.
Speaking at a pro-BOL assembly in Cotabato City, Duterte urged voters to use the plebiscite as a "peaceful means" to "finally" correct the historical injustice committed against the Bangsamoro people.
"Let us forget the bitterness of the past and look forward to the future which means, ladies and gentlemen, mga mahal kong mga Moro brother or sister, mag-boto kayo ng yes," Duterte said, drawing cheers and applause from the audience.
Duterte said the approval of the BOL will not only serve as an expression of the Moro people's desire to end decades of armed struggle, "it will also serve as a testament to your determination to bring genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao through an autonomous government that will truly represents and understands the needs of the people."
The Palace earlier said a personal appeal from Duterte would help galvanize public support for the BOL.
Apart from Duterte, Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Moro National Liberation Front chairman Yusop Jikiri delivered speeches during the event in support of the ratification.
At least 2.8 million voters are expected to participate in the plebiscite for the ratification of the BOL, which aims to end decades of conflict in Mindanao by creating a political entity that would enjoy greater autonomy than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Malacañang has declared January 21 as a special non-working holiday to allow voters in the ARMM, Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City to participate in the plebiscite.
A similar plebiscite will be held on Febuary 6 in Lanao del Norte except Iligan City, the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit and Pigkayawan in North Cotabato, and all other areas adjacent to any of the Bagsamoro "core areas."
The Palace said on Monday that Duterte would respect and abide by whatever decision the public makes during the plebiscite.
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