MAGUINDANAO - It's a historic moment for the Philippines today as President Aquino is set to witness the first phase of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's decommissioning of arms in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
Pictures from the official Facebook page of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process showed 145 MILF combatants waiting to be decommissioned.
Seventy-five weapons will also be turned to an independent decommissioning body headed by Turkish Ambassador Haydar Berk.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
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Defense Sec. Gazmin inspects weapons turned over by MILF. He is joined by Usec. Manny Bautista. #Bangsamoro #AllOutPeace
The decommissioning, which is provided under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed between MILF officials and Aquino in 2013, provides for the surrender of the weapons to an independent body. These can never be used again.
After their documentation, the rebel returnees will be receiving cash assistance and PhilHealth cards. They will also receive medium- and long-term assistance from the Task Force Decommissioned Combatants and Communities. [RECEIVING CASH ASSISTANCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/14/15/pnoy-witness-historic-decommissioning-milf-men]
The peace process, with the end goal of creating a Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, has faced hitches especially after the Mamasapano incident in January. The incident has forced some quarters to question the genuineness of the MILF’s role in pursuing a peace pact with the government.
The MILF, which started its armed struggled against the government in the early 1970s, initially in favor of independence but later softened to negotiating for self-governance, is estimated to have more than 10,000 armed fighters.
Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process, said in a statement that the MILF is the first armed organization in the country to voluntarily turn over its weapons.
Under the comprehensive agreement signed by the two parties, the decommissioning of the MILF forces will happen in four phases until an exit agreement is to be signed. There is no timeline for the entire process.
The peace accord between the MILF and the government, titled, "Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro," is seen to end the violence that has plagued the Muslim-dominated region in Mindanao for more than four decades, stunting economic development of the resources-rich island.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with Potpot Mamogkat Guinzon
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145 members of the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces will start to transition to productive civilian life today.
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