Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator at a House hearing on Bangsamoro Basic Law. FILE PHOTO BY LIRA FERNANDEZ
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Sunday said it is already preparing its firearms for decommissioning, which is to take place in January next year in compliance with the peace accord it negotiated with the Philippine government.
"It's all systems go for the symbolic decommissioning of our firearms," Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said as he stressed the MILF's determination to attain peace in its homeland.
As clearly stipulated in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the government and MILF in March, the MILF will decommission its forces.
The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), composed of representative from foreign countries, has already completed an initial inventory of firearms that the MILF will turn over to the IDB.
However, Igbal speaking to reporters, refused to reveal how many firearms, its make, and caliber will be turned over by the MILF combatants.
"The IDB has put up the documents that would provide the terms of reference for the decommissioning of the MILF combatants,” Iqbal said.
In previous interviews, Iqbal said 75 firearms will form part of the initial decommissioning process, 25 of which are high powered guns, and the rest were medium-powered. He assured the firearms are well maintained, serviceable, and not defective as some sectors are claiming.
Describing the upcoming turn-over of firearms as "emotional and sentimental," Iqbal added the "MILF is doing sacrifice for the sake of peace in our homeland."
Iqbal said after the initial decommissioning process to take place late January next year, more firearms will be turned over to the IDB and will be stored in an area he refused to divulge.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100241/milf-preparing-lay-down-guns-in-initial-decommissioning-process
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