Decommissioning is MILF firm commitment for peace in the Bangsamoro -- Murad

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Decommissioning is MILF firm commitment for peace in the Bangsamoro -- Murad

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad today said the decommissioning of 75 firearms and 145 combatants is a firm manifestation of the MILF's commitment to peace and signals the transformation of their group into a political organization.

“Today we begin the long walk to transformation, not surrender. (This is) the start of transformation of MILF from armed organization to political organization ready to serve the Bangsamoro people,” Murad said during the decommissioning process held at the gymnasium of the old provincial capitol here Tuesday morning.

President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed the turn over as the guest of honor and speaker.

“Decommissioning has not been an easy one. This is expected because the struggle is an integral part of our Moro identity,” he said of the decommissioning, adding that “We cannot thank President Aquino enough for his unwavering commitment in our partnership.”

Murad said the the decommissioning also signals that start for the MILF to shift into self-governance.

“This symbolic decommissioning signals the start of an old arrangement and control toward partnership of autonomy,” he said.

“We proclaim our commitment to peace not by words but by action,” Murad stressed.

Murad said it was not a sign of weakness on the part of the MILF, as propagated by anti-peace groups, to decommission its firearms even as the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law is yet to be approved by Congress.

“It is not surrender,” he said in his message to his people. “This is to show the MILF is sincere in attaining peace for the Bangsamoro people.”

He also said the MILF position on the BBL is clear.

“We will accept the BBL which is in compliance with the FAB (Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro) and CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro), this is the official position of the MILF central committee,” he said.

He then thanked President Aquino and all those who contributed in the success of the Mindanao peace process.

“We thank the President for his continued support to the Mindanao peace process, third party facilitator, international communities and all who contributed to the success of the peace process,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772915