MILF: IMT’s exit call on MILF’s 2nd Vice Chairman drew thousands in Camp Bushra

From the MILF Website (Mar 6): IMT’s exit call on MILF’s 2nd Vice Chairman drew thousands in Camp Bushra



Camp Bushra Somiorang, Butig, Lanao del Sur, 28 February 2014. The exit call of the 8th Mission of the International Monitoring Team (IMT-8) headed by MGen Dato’ Fadzil bin Mokhtar on Alim Ali Solaiman, 2nd Vice Chairman of the Central Committee, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), drew an estimated crowd of not less than ten thousand MILF members, supporters and sympathizers at the hallowed ground of Alim Abdulazis Mimbantas Memorial Center, Camp Bushra Somiorang, Butig, Lanao del Sur. 

This area, which is popularly known as the Satellite Office because of the presence of a satellite office of the MILF Peace Panel, serves as an administrative sub-camp of Camp Bushra where the top leadership of the MILF in the Ranaw Region receives local and foreign dignitaries and visitors.

The 8th Mission of the IMT arrived in Cotabato City last March 2013 and will be completing its one-year tour of duty in March 14, 2014. From its original number of 60 members, the IMT-8 will be replaced by its successor, the IMT-9, comprising of only 36 members. The reduced number of the team comprising the IMT-9 underscores the significant success of IMT’s monitoring and peacekeeping mission since it started its work in 2002.

The IMT is composed of both military and civilian contingents from Malaysia, as the leading contingent, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan and Europe. Libya was part of the original countries contributing to the IMT. The International Monitoring Team is a product of the Security Aspect of the GPH-MILF Tripoli Agreement on Peace of 22 June 2001 and is mandated to monitor the status of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF. 

The province of Lanao del Sur was in a festive mood as main streets were teeming with streamers, tarpaulins, native flags and flaglets welcoming the visiting IMT members. A military honor was rendered by the 103rd Base Command of the BIAF-MILF in honor of the visitors that was followed by a military exhibition drill and a courtesy call on the 2nd Vice Chairman of the MILF Central Committee. 

During the reception, Alim Ali Solaiman expressed the unending gratitude of the MILF and the Bangsamoro people for the unwavering support and unselfish sacrifices of the IMT members who have chosen to leave the comfort of their own homes and native countries in order to support the joint effort of the Philippine government and the MILF to give a chance to a meaningful and sustainable peace by way of a political settlement of the armed conflict in Mindanao.

“I am saddened, on one hand, by the fact that our brothers in the IMT-8 are finally leaving us. But I am also happy, on the other hand, to say that this team is the most lucky because it is during their tour of duty that the historic Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its four annexes were signed,” Alim Ali Solaiman said.

In his response message, MGen Dato’ Fadzil bin Mokhtar became very emotional and was not able to hold his tears. “I’m sorry that I became very emotional because I realized the untold sufferings and sacrifices you’ve gone through for several decades before reaching the present stage of your struggle for freedom and self-determination. We are very happy and proud that we became part of your struggle and even in our own small ways, we were able to contribute to the attainment of genuine peace that will hopefully lead to prosperity and development in the upcoming Bangsamoro political entity,” the IMT Head of Mission said. 

urther said: “The prospect of peace and development is within reach. I hope that the officers and men of the BIAF will continue to demonstrate their sincerity and commitment to honor the agreements between the GPH and MILF peace panels. The signing of the agreement is meaningless if this is not translated into action. There are huge challenges ahead, but no challenge is large enough that you cannot overcome. I hope to return in 2016 and I am eager to see the Bangsamoro in a better situation under a new prosperous Bangsamoro government.”  

The historic occasion was highlighted by the awarding of certificates of commendation, recognition and appreciation and the giving of tokens to all deserving members of the visiting IMT.

 

The IMT exit call was preceded few hours by a courtesy call of some officers of AFP’s 103rd Brigade assigned in Kampo Ranaw, Marawi City headed by Col. Macasero on MILF’s 2nd Vice Chairman and the officers of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces in the Northeastern and Northwestern Mindanao Fronts.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/850-imt’s-exit-call-on-milf’s-2nd-vice-chairman-drew-thousands-in-camp-bushra