MILF to assist gov't on humanitarian aid for Marawi evacuees

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): MILF to assist gov't on humanitarian aid for Marawi evacuees

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) announced it will help the government in providing assistance to civilians affected in the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City.

In a statement, MILF Chairperson Al Haj Murad Ebrahim “welcomed the idea of PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) for the MILF forces to help in extending necessary humanitarian assistance to civilians who are still trapped in areas of Marawi (City) where sporadic fightings still happen.”

The MILF, who has a standing peace agreement with the government, said the “modalities of cooperation would be established between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF” to carryout the humanitarian effort.

The MILF released the statement following a meeting between President Duterte and MILF leaders on Monday in Davao City.

Irene Santiago, chairperson of the government’s implementing panel, also attended the meeting, which lasted for about two hours, where the President approved the setting up of a GPH-MILF “peace corridor” to hasten the rescue and humanitarian operations for civilians still trapped in the conflict zone in Marawi.

The MILF said they are now working with the peace mechanisms such as the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) of both the GPH and MILF, which would be utilized for planning and implementing the ways on how to immediately and safely extend humanitarian assistance to the affected families.

During the meeting, President Duterte has assured the MILF leaders that the implementation of martial law is not against the Moro fronts -- the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front -- or the New People’s Army (NPA) but to quell the Maute group rebellion and other terrorist groups.

The President has earlier urged the rebel groups, which are talking peace with the government, to help in the fight against terror groups in Mindanao.

The Chief Executive made the statement following the offer of MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari to allow its fighters to pursue the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

On Monday’s meeting, President Duterte also assured the MILF of the government’s sincerity to sustain the peace process.

MILF First Vice Chairperson Ghazali Jaafar said they informed the President “that the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would be completed by next month.”

The President has urged the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to accelerate the drafting of the BBL for submission to Congress.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/992410