The government and MILF peace panels appear in a joint press conference at a military camp in Maguindanao
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday, February 18, returned 16 firearms seized from the police Special Action Force (SAF) during the deadly January 25 clash between Moro rebels and elite cops in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
The weapons were turned over Wednesday at Camp Siongco of the 6th Infantry Division in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, weeks after the clash that killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police-SAF, 18 Moro rebels and 3 civilians.
Miriam Coronel Ferrer, head of the government peace panel, said the “16 firearms” returned by the MILF were "verified [to belong to the SAF]."
RETURNED. Members of the ceasefire committees of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front inspect the weapons. Photo from OPAPP
Members of the government and the MILF peace panels, security officials and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) were present during the turnover ceremonies.
The weapons were returned through the ceasefire committees of both sides and the IMT, the body tasked to oversee the ceasefire agreement of the government and the MILF.
The return of the SAF firearms was the first demand made by President Benigno Aquino III to the MILF as proof of their commitment to the peace process.
The other demand was for the MILF to turn over wanted terrorist Abdulbasit Usman.
In a joint press conference at Camp Siongco, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal gave assurances that the MILF remains to be a "partner of peace."
"Some think a partnership with the government is unthinkable but the MILF is willing to take extra mile so the peace process will proceed," Iqbal said.
GESTURE. Some of PNP-SAF firearms returned by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Photo by OPAPP
Government and security officials, including Peace Adviser to the Peace Adviser Secretary Teresita Deles and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gregorio Catapang Jr welcomed the "gesture of good will" from the MILF.
Catapang said he hopes the return of firearms would once again jumpstart efforts towards peace in Mindanao.
"We need to claim the peace. We must claim, not only win, the peace in our country. Therefore, I say, that this gesture is a very fitting gesture," Catapang said.
The MILF signed a peace accord with the government in March 2014 that sought to create a more powerful autonomous region in Mindanao in exchange for the staggered decommissioning of rebel firearms.
However, the fate of the peace process in Mindanao was cast in doubt in the aftermath of the disastrous police operation for the arrest of wanted terrorists Zulkifli bin hir, better known as Marwan, and Usman that led to the death of close to 70 individuals.
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