The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), jointly established by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), on Friday lauded both peace panels for taking the initial steps to help former fighters have a new life.
This, after interim chief minister Ahod “Al-Haj Murad” Ebrahim of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) told President Rodrigo Duterte of the commencement of the first phase of the decommission process.
“Mr. President, last Monday (March 25) the MILF already submitted the list of its combatants and weapons for decommissioning, representing the first phase of a process,” Ebrahim told Duterte, who was the special guest of the BARMM inauguration at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex here Friday.
The President, in his speech, responded that he was extremely happy with the development of the BARMM and the peace process in Mindanao as well.
"We were able to realize at least the part, maybe not all, but the part of what the entire country could have wished for the Moro people of Mindanao,” the President said.
In an interview by newsmen on the sidelines prior to the ceremony, Ebrahim estimated the former armed MILF combatants at some 12,000 in strength.
“That is why we owe the President a lot for his sincerity to finally solve the Mindanao conflict,” he said.
In a statement, the IDB said that in the steadfast aspiration of enduring peace, the decommissioning will render possible the transition of MILF combatants into, and ensuring them the opportunity to pursue productive lives as civilians in the peaceful communities of the Bangsamoro.
IDB is tasked by the GPH and the MILF to oversee the decommissioning of MILF forces and their weapons.
“We are deeply honored to continue our work with all stakeholders, as we embark on the next phase of the Bangsamoro normalization process,” the IDB said.
The IDB functions on a term of reference earlier agreed by both sides as its operational guideline. Its member-countries include Turkey, Norway, and Brunei Darussalam, with assistance from the governments of Germany, Australia, and Japan.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066054
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