Int'l peace observers ending tour of duty March 14, to be replaced by smaller team

From GMA News (Mar 8): Int'l peace observers ending tour of duty March 14, to be replaced by smaller team

An international team monitoring the ceasefire between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is leaving after completing its one-year tour of duty next week.

The 60-member International Monitoring Team 8 (IMT-8) will be replaced by a 36-member IMT-9, the MILF said on its website on March 6.

"The reduced number of the team comprising the IMT-9 underscores the significant success of IMT’s monitoring and peacekeeping mission since it started its work in 2002," the MILF said.

Last Feb. 28, IMT-8 members were feted at the MILF's camp in Lanao del Sur province. Heading the IMT-8 in its exit call at Camp Bushra Somiorang in Butig, Lanao del Sur last Feb. 28 was Maj. Gen. Dato’ Fadzil bin Mokhtar.

“I am saddened, on one hand, by the fact that our brothers in the IMT-8 are finally leaving us. But I am also happy... to say that this team is the most lucky because it is during their tour of duty that the historic Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its four annexes were signed,” MILF central committee second vice chairman Alim Ali Solaiman said.

The IMT has military and civilian contingents from Malaysia as the leading contingent, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan and Europe.

In his response message, Maj. Gen. Dato’ Fadzil bin Mokhtar became emotional but said the IMT is "very happy and proud that we became part of your struggle and even in our own small ways, we were able to contribute to the attainment of genuine peace that will hopefully lead to prosperity and development in the upcoming Bangsamoro political entity.”

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/351643/news/nation/int-l-peace-observers-ending-tour-of-duty-march-14-to-be-replaced-by-smaller-team