Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen.
Gregorio Pio Catapang on Monday lauded the sincerity shown by the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) in voluntarily decommissioning their arms and
combatants starting this June 16.
Catapang said the MILF deserves to be recognized for its
commitment to end the decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao .
In Tuesday's ceremony, 55 high-powered and 20-crew served
weapons will be decommissioned along with 145 MILF combatants.
The decommissioning ceremony will be held at the Old
Provincial Capitol, Simuay Crossing, Sultan Kudarat Tuesday.
“We laud the MILF’s commitment and sincerity to peace. This
is a historic event," Catapang, who once fought against Moro insurgents in
Lanao Del Sur during the "all-out war" in 2000, said.
The AFP chief said this is the first time that a rebel group
will be voluntarily turning over its arms and transforming its combatants to
normal, civilian lives.
Previously, the Moro National Liberation Front fighters were
integrated into the AFP and the Philippine National Police.
"What is more laudable here is that the MILF is
voluntarily turning-in their firearms in an environment that continues to have
other armed groups," he said.
The decommissioning of MILF weapons and members of its
Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) are part of the initial phase of the
decommissioning program as agreed in the Annex on Normalization of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
“The AFP acknowledges that the decommissioning program will
be gradual and in a phased manner as indicated in the Comprehensive Agreement
on the Bangsamoro (CAB) which the GPH and MILF negotiating panels both signed,”
Catapang said.
He added that while the AFP lauds the sincerity of the MILF,
he likewise congratulates the GPH and the MILF negotiating panels for their
dedication and effort in the continued implementation of the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
“There is no denying that the willingness of the MILF to
decommission their weapons is a concrete proof of their commitment as a peace
partner. I commend the members of the GPH and MILF peace panels for making this
a reality,” he added.
The AFP chief said the decommissioning of the BIAF members
will pave the way for their smooth transition to productive and normal civilian
life.
"We must win the peace in Mindanao .
It will ensure progress and prosperity for all, " Catapang added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772430
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.