THE government is studying the proposals to pattern the proposed Bangsamoro Region after Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China but which controls several affairs on its own, according to President Rodrigo Duterte.
Echoing his talks with some lawmakers whom he spoke with earlier this week, Duterte on Tuesday again stressed the need to resolve the issues hounding the Bangsamoro region.
“Nag-usap kami kagabi, sabi ng mga senador, maybe we can work out a plan like Hong Kong vis-à-vis with the mainland [China]. Parang local autonomy na lang talaga. Ibibigay na lang natin sa kanila the local autonomy and let it thrive on its own,” Duterte said in a speech in Taguig City.
“We have to… if you want a demarcation line, fine. If you want the boundary states, okay lang sa akin. But we have to find a way to get out of this problem now.”
Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997, following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain.
China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of “one country, two systems,” where the city would enjoy “a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs,” for 50 years.
But in a speech over the weekend, Duterte said he would not allow the creation of a regional armed and police forces under the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law calling for greater autonomy in Muslim Mindanao.
Duterte said his commitment was only for the establishment of a federal system of government.
“What I can really assure you is it would be a federal system where we [in the national government]do not lose control [of the Bangsamoro Region]. And for that one, as early as now, I am objecting to an independent regional armed forces and police,” Duterte said.
“We only have one Republic of the Philippines. There should only be one Philippine National Police and one Armed Forces. I cannot compromise on that.”