Palace mourns passing of MILF vice chair Jaafar

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 13, 2019): Palace mourns passing of MILF vice chair Jaafar

Malacañang mourned the passing of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar who died in a hospital in Davao City Wednesday morning.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo offered condolences to Jaafar’s family members and friends.

“Our deep thoughts and sincere prayers to Mr. Ghazali Jaafar who died early morning today, March 13, 2019,” Panelo said in a statement.

“He has fought many battles for peace and may Allah grant him a place in Jannah (Paradise),” he added.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. also lamented Jaafar’s passing, describing him as having “selflessly dedicated and devoted his life for others”.

“The men and women of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process mourn the loss of the great Moro leader 1st Vice Chair Ghazali Jaafar,” Galvez said in a statement.

Galvez said that his office will always remember Jaafar’s effort to lead the Moro people through the passage and eventual ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law despite being diagnosed with a kidney problem.

“We will never forget that despite his health condition, Jaafar went the extra mile to join several campaign rallies to push for the realization of the Moro people’s aspiration for a genuine and meaningful autonomy,” Galvez said.

Both Panelo and Galvez also described Jaafar as a warrior and man of peace.

Jaafar served as the Chairperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Negotiating Panel from 1996 to 1997.

He likewise became the First Vice Chairperson of the MILF Central Committee and MILF for Political Affairs.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte appointed him as Chairperson of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in January 2017 and as a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in February 2019.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064432