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.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/850-imt’s-exit-call-on-milf’s-2nd-vice-chairman-drew-thousands-in-camp-bushra
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.