Aquino sees MILF as partner for peace

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 17): Aquino sees MILF as partner for peace

 President Benigno Aquino III Wednesday said with the signing of the Framework Agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), he now sees them as a "partner for peace" in the once troubled Mindanao. Speaking at the forum of the Presidential Forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) at the Manila Hotel, the President said the rebel group "that once was not a direct partner of the government, and I refer specifically to the MILF," will now be "a very active component (of the government) in preserving the peace in Mindanao." With regards to the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) headed by Ameril Umbra Kato, President Aquino said there's an ongoing program of the government to dismantle armed groups in the country such as the BIFF. "There's a validation of the order of battle and I think not a week goes by without a report on specific armed groups that have already been dismantled," he noted.
Besides, the Chief Executive said, "we have the MILF who are now significant partners (of the government)...."

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