With the military formally handing over the 16 high-powered
Special Action Force (SAF) weapons to the Philippine National Police, the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said the decision of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shows its willingness to sustain the gains of
the peace process.
The SAF weapons, which were returned by the MILF, consists
of two Finnish-made K3 light machine guns, two M4/M203 grenade launchers, and
12 M4/M4A1 carbines.The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday
handed in 16 assault rifles taken by its members from police commandos killed
in a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province on Jan. 25.
An MILF delegation headed by Mohagher Iqbal, the rebel
group’s chief peace negotiator, handed the weapons to Government of the
Philippine chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, AFP chief-of-staff Gen.
Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and ARMM Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Supt.
Noel Armilla at the 6th Infantry Division headquarters at Camp Siongco
"We view this gesture as a clear sign that our brothers
in the MILF want to sustain the gains of the peace process that we had worked
on through the years," AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold
Cabunoc said.
With this positive development, he said they are urging the
MILF to return more of the firearms and personal belongings that were taken
from the fallen SAF members during the bloody encounter in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao last Jan. 25.
The encounter stemmed from earlier efforts to neutralize
Malaysian terror bomber Zulkipli bin Hir alias "Marwan".
In the day-long firefight, where members of the rogue
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private-armed groups, also took part,
44 SAF men were killed.
"We support the government efforts in preventing armed
violence and in promoting reconciliation as we take the difficult path towards
lasting peace," Cabunoc stressed.
And in line with this, he said the AFP is also sending a
message of utmost restraint and genuine concern for the people in
conflict-affected areas.
"We are also appealing to all armed ground in Mindanao to end all acts of violence that have caused the
displacement of people from different communities.
The AFP public affairs office chief also said that the
military remains committed to the peace process.
"Through our collective efforts, we will help claim the
peace, progress and prosperity for our people," Cabunoc concluded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=737141
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