President Benigno Aquino III will witness the first tranche of the decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces on Tuesday in Shariff Aguak.
“Ang Pangulong
(Benigno) Aquino ang sasaksi sa unang yugto ng decommissioning process na
itinuturing na isa sa matibay na pagpapakita ng pagsuporta at commitment ng
MILF sa isinusulong na prosesong pangkapayapaan na maghahatid ng katahimikan at
kaunlaran sa mga bayang sakop ng Bangsamoro,” said Communications Secretary
Herminio Coloma Jr. in a radio interview.
Government peace
panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer had said the MILF will turn over 55
high-powered firearms and 20 screw-served weapons to an independent body. A
total of 145 men from the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces will take part.
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.
“May tatlong
bahagi ang itinakdang normalization process: security, socioeconomic
development, at transitional justice and reconciliation. Ang prosesong ito ay
naglalayong bigyan ang mga kasapi ng MILF ng pagkakataong makapag-hanapbuhay at
makapamuhay nang tahimik at malayo sa anomang karahasan,” Coloma added.
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.
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.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/14/15/pnoy-witness-historic-decommissioning-milf-men
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