UN welcomes signing of Bangsamoro Organic Law

The United Nations hailed on Friday the "landmark" signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

"The Secretary-General welcomes the signing into law of the Organic Law for Bangsamoro in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on 26 July, a landmark achievement on the road to lasting peace in southern Philippines," read a statement released by the spokesman for UN Secretary General António Guterres.

"The Secretary-General congratulates negotiators for the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bicameral Conference Committee, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and civil society groups for their efforts," it added.

The UN said it will support the Philippines in implementing the BOL.

"The United Nations will continue to support the Philippines in the implementation of the law, and to help build the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as an effective conduit for peace, democratic governance and human rights," the statement read.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday enacted the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law.

READ: FULL DOCUMENT: Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act 11054)

Congress failed to submit the bill for Duterte's signature in time for his third State of the Nation Address on Monday because of the leadership squabble in the House of Representatives.

The House ratified the reconciled version of the bill the next day.

Duterte earlier promised the nation that he would sign the proposed BOL within 48 hours from the time he received the ratified bill.

The President had been pushing for the enactment 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.

On Friday, Duterte asked Moros to give the BOL a chance to pave the way for peace and development in the southern Philippines.

He also called on members of the Abu Sayyaf Group to sit down and negotiate with the government.

"Iyong BBL [Bangsamoro Basic Law] tapos na. Bigyan lang natin ng panahon. Huwag tayong mag-giyera... Wala naman problema mamatay tayo, Mamatay man tayo lahat," Duterte said. —KG, GMA News