From InterAksyon (Oct 7): With peace pact, AFP hopes it can focus more on external threats

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and lawmakers are optimistic real peace is near with the signing of an initial framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), allowing the military to shift its focus from internal to external security. But it is unclear yet how the matter of disarming rebels will be handled.... Sources from the defense and military establishments told InterAksyon.com on Sunday a peace agreement with the MILF without a substantive Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) provision is “empty” if this would not address the “laying down of arms” by the rebels. “The DDR is a very important component of the peace pact, just like what the government did with the defunct Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Movement (CPLA),” said a senior military officer who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the matter....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/44955/with-peace-pact-afp-hopes-it-can-focus-more-on-external-threats