Camp BGen SK Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao, (November 23, 2019) – Amidst the heavy downfall, 317 members of the Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) composed of representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Moro Islamic Liberation Front – Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) completed their training here on Friday.
“Ni minsan ay hindi po sumagi sa isipan ko na darating ang ganitong pagkakataon, na ang dating magkatunggali sa armadong digmaan ay magiging magkasangga sa pagpapalaganap ng kapayapaan,” said Mujahid Asghar Omar, a proud MILF-BIAF member. (I never would have thought that this event would be possible, where former foes in armed battle will become partners in spreading genuine peace.)
The joint training of Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF security forces aimed to equip them with the needed knowledge and skills to carry out their mandate of ensuring peace and security in areas mutually identified by both parties.
“Sa mga Kasama kong JPST, hindi ko kayo makakalimutan, napakabuti ninyo sa aming mga BIAF. Kikilalanin namin kayo bilang mga tunay naming kapatid,” Omar said in the speech he delivered during the closing ceremony for the second batch of JPST trainees. (To my JPST comrades, I will never forget you, you have all been very kind towards us BIAF. We will forever consider you as our real brothers.)
Omar is among the 150 MILF BIAF 77 AFP, and 90 PNP members who comprise the JPST class of 2019.
Dividends of the Bangsamoro Peace Process
Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) co-chair Dickson P. Hermoso pointed out that the creation of JPSTs is among the many dividends of the Bangsamoro peace process.
“Kayo ang bunga ng prosesong pangkapayapaan na tinuldukan ang apatnapu’t apat (na taon ng kaguluhan sa Mindanao…magkakapatid na kayo ngayon,” Hermoso said, who is also currently the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) minister of transportation. (You are the fruit of the peace process that ended the 44 years of armed conflict in Mindanao…you are now brothers.)
The retired army colonel and former assistant secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is considered one of Mindanao’s peace champions who helped push for passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“Marami na ang nabyuda, nawala ng pamilya at nawalan ng buhay dahil sa digmaan. Mabuti na lamang at ang ating mga lider tulad nina Pangulong Duterte, Secretary Galvez, Chief Minister Murad, ay nakaisip ng paraan para tuldukan ang kaguluhan,” he added. (Many were widowed, lost their families, lost their lives because of the armed conflict. It is fortunate that our leaders such as President Duterte, Secretary Galvez, and Chief Minister Murad, found a way to end the armed conflict.)
In a speech read on behalf of Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr, Hermoso said the graduation ceremony only marks the beginning of the JPST members’ journey in serving the Bangsamoro homeland.
“Tandaan lamang po natin na ito ay simula pa lamang ng inyong napakahalagang misyon – protektahan ang Bangsamoro laban sa mga gustong magdulot ng kaguluhan dito, at tulungan ang pamahalaan ng rehiyon na isulong ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa inyong lugar,” he said. (Let us bear in mind that this (graduation ceremony) only marks the beginning of fulfilling your valuable mission – to protect the Bangsamoro against those who will attempt to cause terror; and help the regional government in promoting sustainable peace and development in the area.)
Present during the ceremony were Minister Von Al Haq, co -chair, JPSC MILF; BGen Francisco Ariel Felicidario III AFP, chairperson, CCCH AHJAG; Hon. Anwar Alamada, chairperson, MILF AHJAG; 1st Admiral Abd Halim Bin Shaari RMN, deputy head of mission, IMTM 14; PBGen Marni C Marcos Jr., regional director, PNP PRO BAR; Col Joel Q Mamon PA, head, combined CCCH AHJAG Secretariat; Terje Skjoelsvik, chief of staff, Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB); as well as other MILF and government security officials.###
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