High-ranking leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have joined forces to help the government’s campaign against the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militant group in the southern province of Basilan.
On Saturday, MILF-MNLF commanders and former combatants of the Fronts based in Basilan met with Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman, officials of the military and police for a peace dialogue in Al-Barka town.
Basilan-based commander Datu Tumanggong of the Western Mindanao Front Committee, Musawarin Abubakar 113th Based Command and Ustadz Idris Awal of the MILF local monitoring team, represented the MILF while Umbong Malatim also known as Commander Cobra represented the MNLF.
Col. Rolly Bautista, chief of the 103rd Brigade Command, represented the military, while Sr.Supt. Mario Buyucan, provincial director of Basilan, represented the Philippine National Police (PNP). The non government organization (NGO) was represented by Hadija Hassan of Guinanta, Al-Barka.
All the parties involved in the dialogue agreed to jointly address various threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf group led by Furuji Indama and to improve, safeguard peace and stability in four towns, particularly the Al-Barka town, where the bandits or lawless elements take refuge.
They believe the Abu Sayyaf menace can be addressed not only with the use of guns and weapons but with peaceful means through promoting unity, community dialogue, resolving the rido or family feuds as well as application of socio-economic infrastructure development.
As part of government’s PAMANA peace and development framework to respond and strengthen peace building, reconstruction and development in conflict affected areas, Governor Hataman said his administration will release P20 million for community projects for five municipalities in Basilan.
The peace dialogue was done through the initiative of ARMM regional government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the local government unit (LGU) and a non-government organization (NGO).
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