Murad: MILF fighters will give up guns, join PNP

From ABS0CBN (Mar 5): Murad: MILF fighters will give up guns, join PNP

[Video report]

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad wants to allay fears over the creation of the Bangsamoro Police Force.

Murad told ABS-CBN New that the Bangsamoro security force will be under the Philippine National Police (PNP), and MILF fighters will surrender their weapons once the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is in effect.

They will also have to apply for entry into the PNP service.

Murad said under their peace agreement with the government, the MILF will undergo decommissioning.

He replied "yes" when asked if they are ready to give up their weapons in exchange for the BBL and peace in Mindanao.

Murad said the BBL should be tackled separately from the Mamasapano incident.

He also wants a third-party investigation to find the truth on what really happened in the cornfields of Mamasapano on January 25.

Murad said the BBL underwent thorough scrutiny to make sure it conforms with the Philippine Constitution.

"Solution is we have to try to give trust, for political leaders to give a little trust. Unless ma-erase ang mistrust, hindi pwede maging partner ang Pilipino at Bangsamoro," he said.

Murad said BBL provisions on funds for the proposed Bangsamoro region, which some lawmakers are opposing, are not irregular.

"Exactly the same. Iyung normal na pondo para sa national agencies, para sa ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]. Ang demand namin, 6 percent national revenue net collection, 2.4 percent ang ibinigay."

Murad also clarified the MILF's relationship with the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Some camps have cast doubt on the split, saying the two groups continue to support each other.

"Tingin namin, it is not necessary to fight each other. Ang hiling naman sa kanila, obserbahan muna nila itong peace process," he said. "Ultimately, pag successful tayo, iyung mga iba grupo will have no choice. If they will not join, they will be isolated. Ang mga kalaban na nila, ang mga tao."

Murad said MILF forces engaged the BIFF when the breakaway group demanded that they abandon their camp.

The fighting sent up to 11,000 families fleeing their homes in Pagalungan, Maguindanao.

MILF FIGHTER AS WITNESS

The MILF chairman, meanwhile, said they do not believe the justice department has an MILF fighter who will stand as witness in the Mamasapano investigation.

The MILF admitted it fought with the PNP Special Action Force, but insisted it was in self-defense after Moro rebels were fired upon by the government troops.

Murad appealed to the people to give the BBL a chance.

He said it will not only benefit the Bangsamoro, but the whole country as well.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/05/15/murad-milf-fighters-will-give-guns-join-pnp