2,500 AFP, PNP, MILF forces to secure Pnoy visit to MILF HQ in Maguindanao

From InterAksyon (Feb 10): 2,500 AFP, PNP, MILF forces to secure Pnoy visit to MILF HQ in Maguindanao



A formation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

In a rare move, around 2,500 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will join forces Monday to secure President Benigno Aquino III on his visit to the MILF headquarters in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

This particular security force is composed of the AFP, PNP, the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), and members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the CCCH/AHJAG (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities/Ad Hoc Joint Action Group).

On Saturday, the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division led by its commander Major General Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo held a ceremonial boodle fight with the MILF fighters as a show of solidarity amid the peace agreement between the government and the MILF.

The boodle fight is in line with the “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” program in Sultan Kudarat on Monday. The Sajahatra Bangsamoro is the government’s concrete socio-economic peace program that aims to uplift the health, education, and livelihood conditions in MILF communities.

Aquino will be the first Philippine president to visit the MILF main camp of Darapanan amid a peace deal with the rebels.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/54715/2500-afp-pnp-milf-forces-to-secure-pnoy-visit-to-milf-hq-in-maguindanao