Disarmament not on table — MILF

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 16): Disarmament not on table — MILF

BANGSAMORO DEAL HAS NO DECOMMISSIONING TIMETABLE

Disarmament of units of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) appeared to have been set aside during negotiations for the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement as MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal told reporters yesterday that he has yet to discuss the terms of the so-called phased decom-missioning of the armed component of the secessionist group. Iqbal and government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen faced media yesterday shortly after the signing of the framework agreement that was witnessed by President Aquino, Malay-sian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and MILF chairman Al Haj Murad.  Iqbal, asked about the decommissioning of MILF guerilla units, said it still needed to be discussed within the MILF. He also gave a cryptic answer on the timetable for the disarmament of MILF members. “Decommissioning? We still have to discuss that,” he added. Iqbal said some commanders have expressed concerns over the issue of decom-missioning saying that he will have to communicate with the ground forces on the provisions of the agreement. “We only used the term decommissioning. But I am not at liberty to discuss because we will discuss that,” according to Iqbal. that the decommissioning aspect in the agreement also needed further discussions with the government panel....

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/5682-disarmament-not-on-table-—-milf