Decommissioning manifests MILF’s transformation -- Murad

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 19): Decommissioning manifests MILF’s transformation -- Murad

“For some people, the event today is about statistics, 145 MILF and 75 firearms but this is not. It is something deeply personal to us,” Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said during the ceremonial turnover of weapons and decommissioning of the MILF combatants on Tuesday.

Ebrahim said, "As I look at the basis of each of our 145 brothers here, I see 145 stories of struggle, pain, hopelessness and even of death. I also see 145 stories of hope that indeed peace is near,” he added.

The event was the first phase of the decommissioning process under the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed last March 2014.

He emphasized, this decision is "to show MILF’s firm commitment to comply with the principal agreements signed with the Philippine government knowing that the President understands and feels what they have been going through. How it is to be under the oppressive regime."

Chairman Murad expressed gratitude to President Aquino for his unwavering commitment to their partnership to build a democratic, peaceful and safe society for the Bangsamoro.

He stressed, this is the beginning of the transformation of the MILF from an armed revolutionary organization to a political organization ready to govern and serve the Bangsamoro people.

“Today is not yet the completion and culmination of our hopes and dreams.  It is a significant event because we proclaim our commitment to peace not by words but by action,  we’re ready and distinctive partner in building a new corner of peace, security and development not just for the Bangsamoro but for all,” Murad said.

The 75 weapons were turned over to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) headed by the Turkish Ambassador to NATO Haydar Berk with representatives of Norway, Brunei and the GPH and MILFpanels as members.

The decommissioned weapons were stored at Camp Abubakar in Sitio Bombaran, Barangay Tugaig in Barira, Maguindanao wherein 30 members of the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) are assigned to ensure security of the storage area under the supervision of the Joint Verification and Monitoring Team (JVMT).

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1661434697758/decommissioning-manifests-milf-s-transformation----murad