Members of
the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee that sponsored the proposed
Bangsamoro law submitted for debates in the House plenary today welcomed as
proof of a “strong commitment to end the armed conflict” in Mindanao the start
of Phase 1 of the decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants on June 16
that was announced Thursday by the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) peace panels.
“This
is a very welcome development for me as a member of Congress tackling the
proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and personally as a Mindanaonon,” Ad Hoc
Committee Chair and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.
“The beginning of the decommissioning process is concrete proof of the strong commitment of the MILF to end armed conflict in the south,” Rodriguez added.
Ad Hoc Committee vice-chair and Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal similarly welcomed the commencement of the decommissioning process, noting that the decommissioning of heavy weaponry and 145 MILF members clearly establishes the commitment of the Moro group to pursue the peace agreement with the government despite a delay in the passage of the law creating the Bangsamoro region.
“There is perhaps no greater proof that the MILF is sincere in its efforts to begin peace-building with the government than this decision to voluntarily turn over their arms and weapons especially with the heated debates and the delay of the passing into law of the BBL,” Oaminal said.
A ceremonial turnover on June 16 of 55 high-powered and 20 crew-serve weapons and the decommissioning of 145 MILF combatants will formally begin Phase 1 of the process, the two peace panels announced jointly on Thursday.
Gradual decommissioning is part of the Annex on Normalization signed by the MILF and the government last January 2014. Firearms will be turned over to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), while decommissioned combatants will serve as pioneers and help gauge the success rate of the normalization process.
“The beginning of the decommissioning process is concrete proof of the strong commitment of the MILF to end armed conflict in the south,” Rodriguez added.
Ad Hoc Committee vice-chair and Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal similarly welcomed the commencement of the decommissioning process, noting that the decommissioning of heavy weaponry and 145 MILF members clearly establishes the commitment of the Moro group to pursue the peace agreement with the government despite a delay in the passage of the law creating the Bangsamoro region.
“There is perhaps no greater proof that the MILF is sincere in its efforts to begin peace-building with the government than this decision to voluntarily turn over their arms and weapons especially with the heated debates and the delay of the passing into law of the BBL,” Oaminal said.
A ceremonial turnover on June 16 of 55 high-powered and 20 crew-serve weapons and the decommissioning of 145 MILF combatants will formally begin Phase 1 of the process, the two peace panels announced jointly on Thursday.
Gradual decommissioning is part of the Annex on Normalization signed by the MILF and the government last January 2014. Firearms will be turned over to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), while decommissioned combatants will serve as pioneers and help gauge the success rate of the normalization process.
The
normalization process has three main components—security, socioeconomic
development, and transitional justice and reconciliation—which are aimed at
fostering peace in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao ,
which will then allow individuals to fully pursue productive and sustainable
livelihoods without fear of violence or crime. According to the Annex on
Normalization, the decommissioning of MILF weapons and forces “shall be
parallel and commensurate to the implementation of all the agreements of the
Parties.”
“We understand that this will be gradual, but we are confident there is no stopping the decommissioning process in the coming months,” Oaminal added.
“I hope that Congress moves with urgency on the proposed BBL because the decommissioning process will move much faster with the passage and ratification of the bill, and combatants on the ground will be able to return to civilian lives much sooner,” Oaminal explained.
Another Committee vice-chair, Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong, on the other hand, noted that the MILF’s decision to begin decommissioning is a clear message to both the Senate and the House of Representatives that it is a trustworthy partner in the Bangsamoro peace process.
“We should all understand the security situation,” Loong said. “There are still other armed groups with weapons on the ground, yet the MILF is already willing to begin decommissioning for the sake of peace inMindanao .”
“I appeal to my colleagues in the House and the Senate, especially to Senator Bongbong Marcos, to pass the BBL in the soonest possible time as this is the foundation in the roadmap to peace. We cannot move forward and bring the peace that our people desire and deserve without passing the BBL," Loong said.
“We understand that this will be gradual, but we are confident there is no stopping the decommissioning process in the coming months,” Oaminal added.
“I hope that Congress moves with urgency on the proposed BBL because the decommissioning process will move much faster with the passage and ratification of the bill, and combatants on the ground will be able to return to civilian lives much sooner,” Oaminal explained.
Another Committee vice-chair, Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong, on the other hand, noted that the MILF’s decision to begin decommissioning is a clear message to both the Senate and the House of Representatives that it is a trustworthy partner in the Bangsamoro peace process.
“We should all understand the security situation,” Loong said. “There are still other armed groups with weapons on the ground, yet the MILF is already willing to begin decommissioning for the sake of peace in
“I appeal to my colleagues in the House and the Senate, especially to Senator Bongbong Marcos, to pass the BBL in the soonest possible time as this is the foundation in the roadmap to peace. We cannot move forward and bring the peace that our people desire and deserve without passing the BBL," Loong said.
"I
also call on the people’s support in building a Bangsamoro that is our best
chance for enhanced peace and security in Mindanao ,”
Loong said.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/420-solons-laud-start-of-milf-decommissioning-say-it-shows-commitment-to-end-armed-conflict
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