RAJA MUDA, Pikit, North Cotabato -- Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops made their first encounter after the
all-out-war many years ago, but this time they work as volunteers for Brigada
Eskwela at Camp Raja Muda on Wednesday.
Led by the deputy commander of the national guard 3rd
command base of the MILF, about 30 MILF fighters, who are skilled carpenters,
and the same number of contingent from the AFP’s 602nd Infantry Brigade were on
ground for the event.
Simultaneous with Raja Muda, another group of MILF fighters
and army troops volunteered for Brigada at Camp Bushra
Together, they repaired roofs damaged by war…dents on
windows…clean the grounds and painted the building of Raja Muda Elementary School
Gen. Carlito Galvez, chair of the government’s Coordinating
Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), said the Brigada Eskwela in
the MILF camps is part of the signed commitment to transform the rebel camps as
social progressive entity. He added that it is also part of the normalization
process which also include de-commissioning of MILF firearms and the fighters
in all camps; transitional justice, individual social and economic livelihood
in recognition of the fact that the Moro areas have long been marginalized.
The activity also manifests the transition of the MILF
members from combatants to becoming civilians living normal lives in their
communities with their families.
Galvez said they have targeted three schools per MILF camp.
Aside from Camp Raja Muda and Bushra, Galvez disclosed they will be conducting
Brigada Eskwela in Camp Abubakar , Matanog, Maguindanao and in Camp Omar Camp
Badre
“This is the first time we are meeting after the war. First
time kong nakatapak dito (my first time to step in here) sa ibang (in
different) perspective,” Galvez said, adding that the school was burned during
the all-out war in 2000.
Galvez admitted they are already delayed to hold the Brigada
Eskwela because they still need to do political arrangements and process
financial requirements for the procurement of P100,000 worth of materials.
Other costs were covered by other government agencies and public officials.
Seeing the MILF fighters and government troops working
together during the Brigada Eskwela buoyed up the situation. The children were
excited.
Monera Paglala, whose three of her four children are
studying at Raja Muda School
“Maganda ito para maganda din pag-aaral ng mga bata (This is
good because this is also good for the learning of the children,” she said.
Mindira Lamping, a Grade 5 teacher of Raja Muda for 17
years, hoped they would finally achieve peace in the area because the children
are the ones affected.
She said they were in difficult situation before. Their
classes were disrupted three times because of the armed conflict in 1997, the
all-out war in 2000 and in 2008 due to the failed MOA-AD. Lamping said they
held classes in evacuation centers. According to her, before – the children
were sometimes prevented by armed men to go to school; and, on many occasions,
children do not go to school if they see a man carrying a firearm.
“But I have never been afraid as I always emphasized to
everybody nothing should hinder the education of the children,” she said in
Tagalog. “I am ready to die in the service,” she added.
The Office of the Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP),
which helped facilitate the holding of the activity, said the activity
highlighted the advocacy of the MILF in improving the lives of their members
and ensuring the future of their children and the Bangsamoro.
There were also services rendered such as the medical and
dental service, hair-cut, and distribution of medicines.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=768691
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