UNICEF to orient MILF on ‘child warriors’

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 30): UNICEF to orient MILF on ‘child warriors’

Philippine-based experts from a United Nations agency will orient Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders on the issue of “child warriors” in pursuit of an earlier agreed action plan.

The orientation will be held at the MILF headquarters at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao tomorrow, the UNICEF said in a statement.

The interventions will be conducted by Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF-Philippines representative, and the agency’s five-member panel chaired by Eduard Guerra.

The event is part of “MILF’s commitment to the Action Plan signed with UNICEF in 2009” that calls for a series of orientations on the front’s “role and responsibility to prevent and address the association of children with the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF),” agency media liaison Jingjing Romero said.

“The action plan commits the MILF to concrete, time-bound activities pertaining to the prevention of recruitment, and support for the separation of any children under 18(years old) from the command structure; and unimpeded access for UN verification, and awareness raising on child rights and child protection for its military rank and file, as well as MILF communities,” Romero said.

There is no exact number of minors from among the MILF’s estimated 11,000 combatants even as the UNICEF stressed that “armed conflict (is) a grievous assault on child rights.”

http://www.mb.com.ph/unicef-to-orient-milf-on-child-warriors/

Palace condemns violent protest held in front of Aquino residence

From the Business World (Nov 30): Palace condemns violent protest held in front of Aquino residence

MALACAÑANG YESTERDAY condemned what it described a “violent” protest by militant groups in front of President Benigno S. C. Aquino III’s home in Times Street, Quezon City.

The clash between around 150 protesters and the police occurred Saturday morning, as the militant group protested human rights violations and military actions in rural communities in the wake of the 151st birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, a revolutionary leader during the Spanish colonial rule over the Philippines. Twelve Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were injured in the confrontation, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr. said in a radio interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

An activist leader, identified by the protesters as Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Secretary-General Antonio Flores, was later arrested and is currently being held at Camp Karingal.

 

“What the rallyists did in terms of vandalism and inflicting injuries on members of the PNP clearly exceeded the maximum limits of the freedom of expression at hindi po pahihintulutan ng pamahalaan na maulit ang kaganapang ‘yan (The government will not allow incidents like this to happen again),” Mr. Coloma said in a radio interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

The Palace spokesman noted that the demonstrators asked that they be allowed to hold their protest for 10 more minutes as their program was winding down, which the PNP allowed. But instead of peacefully conducting their protest, the militant groups “attacked and hurt” the policemen, and vandalized the grounds in front of Mr. Aquino’s house, that of a neighbor’s, and a police vehicle.

 

The PNP has filed cases against protesters who stormed the President’s home.

“As reported by Police Senior Superintendent Joel D. Pagdilao, Quezon City Police District chief, cases of illegal assembly, direct assault upon an agent or person in authority, serious physical injury and vandalism were filed by the PNP against Antonio Flores, secretary-general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and other leaders of the protesters,” Mr. Coloma said.

 

He added that “after evaluating the evidence presented, Assistant City Prosecutor Pedro Tresvalles, established the existence of probable cause and recommended the filing of several cases.

 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=palace-condemns-violent-protest-held-in-front-of-aquino-residence&id=98801

More than 2,000 soldiers to be deployed for pre-APEC summit meet in Legazpi

From the Business World (Nov 30): More than 2,000 soldiers to be deployed for pre-APEC summit meet in Legazpi

AT LEAST 2,600 government security troops will be deployed for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) in Legazpi City, authorities said. The meeting will serve as a prelude to the actual summit to be hosted by the Philippines next year.

A special task force has already been formed for the ISOM, which is expected to be attended by at least 450 delegates from different countries, Brig. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, commander of the Bicol-based 901st brigade of the Philippine Army, said.

 

“It’s a joint and interagency task group, all uniformed personnel are included in this to address the emergency preparedness, the peace and order, as well as the security of the APEC-ISOM,” Mr. Farnacio said in an interview.

 

The ISOM, which will be hosted by the country for the first time, is scheduled on Dec. 8 and 9 at the Oriental Hotel in Legazpi City.

The Philippine Army has committed some 300 troops to the task force, which will also be composed of troops from the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force as well as the Philippine National Police (PNP).

With the security protocols in place, Mr. Farnacio said that the military has not monitored any potential threats that may disrupt the summit, citing that they have been preparing for the event for at least five months.

 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=more-than-2000-soldiers-to-be-deployed-for-pre-apec-summit-meet-in-legazpi&id=98803

Gov’t set on creating Bangsamoro entity by 2016 despite delays

From the Business World (Nov 30): Gov’t set on creating Bangsamoro entity by 2016 despite delays

DELAYS in the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law will not affect the government’s timetable of establishing a new political entity in Mindanao by 2016, a Palace official said yesterday.

Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr. made the announcement as the House of Representatives said it will be unable to meet its self-imposed deadline to pass the measure by yearend.

 

Based on the government’s timetable, there is still “enough time” to conduct the plebiscite by 2015 and hold elections for the officials that will head the new government by 2016, in sync with the national poll, even if Congress approves the measure in the first quarter of next year, Mr. Coloma said in a radio interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

“What we’re really looking at in the timetable is the May 2016 date where we target to hold the elections. What we just hope is that there be enough window in the transition between the Bangsamoro Transitional Assembly and the new officials after the elections. Right now, we still have more than a year and a half before 2016 that’s why we’re not really worried that it would affect the whole process,” he said.

Malacañang’s earlier timetable set the approval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law by yearend, conduct of plebiscite in 2015, and elections, in time for the national polls in 2016.

The Executive had also failed to submit the draft Bangsamoro bill to the House of Representatives as scheduled last May 5 after both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels scrambled to iron out the contents of the draft law to come at a “mutually-acceptable” version, which, at the same time, falls within the confines of the 1987 Constitution.

News reports quoted House Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales as saying the House could start plenary debates on the proposed Bangsamoro Law in the first quarter of next year, as the draft law “is still with the special committee chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (2nd district), which has been conducting public hearings on the proposal and is expected to submit their report in “January or February.”

The Bangsamoro Basic Law -- which will reflect the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro inked between the government and the MILF last March 27 -- will speed up the process of creating the autonomous region as part of a peace process to end decades of fighting that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law will formalize the creation of a new Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=gov&8217t-set-on-creating-bangsamoro-entity-by-2016-despite-delays&id=98805

1 wounded in Mindanao blasts

From the Business Mirror (Nov 30): 1 wounded in Mindanao blasts

ONE person was wounded after two explosions rocked Central Mindanao over the weekend as authorities grappled with the continuing series of attacks that were allegedly being carried out by the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, public affairs officer of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said both the Philippine National Police and the military were still investigating the blasts, which came in eight hours of succession on Saturday.

The first explosion, which bomb experts said was made of a homemade bomb, occurred at Sitio Bagong, Barangay Timbangan, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, at around 8:10 in the morning.

While no casualty was reported from the blast, it created fear from residents of the area. Petinglay said the blast was initially tagged by bomb experts as the handiwork of the BIFF based on the way it was rigged and its components as shown by the debris that were recovered.

The public affairs officer said the bandit group, which broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is known for its expertise in rigging bombs that were made of mortars and howitzer rounds.

The blast in Maguindanao was followed eight hours later by another explosion in Cotabato City, wherein a hand grenade was used.

According to Petinglay, a suspect hurled the fragmentation grenade into a passing dump truck that was traveling along Sinsuat Avenue, wounding Raismia Angas Baraguir, 22.

She said the green truck, with plate number KCZ-378, was coming from Rosales Street, also in the city, when the perpetrator lobbed the grenade, triggering a loud explosion and sending pedestrians into panic.

While still working on the suspect’s identity, investigators recovered from the scene a safety lever and fragments of grenade.

Earlier, Armed Forces Chief  of   Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang ordered military commanders in Central Mindanao to end the atrocities committed by lawless groups in the region, particularly the BIFF that he dubbed “spoilers of peace.”

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/1-wounded-in-mindanao-blasts/

Ex-putschists seek probe on P250-M ransom payment to Abu Sayyaf

From the Business Mirror (Nov 30): Ex-putschists seek probe on P250-M ransom payment to Abu Sayyaf

MAGDALO party-list lawmakers have recently  filed a resolution calling for an immediate congressional inquiry into the alleged recent payment of a P250-million ransom to the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group for the release of its German hostages.

House Resolution 1679, authored by Party-list Reps. Reps. Gary C. Alejano and Ashley L. Acedillo of Magdalo, directs the appropriate House committee to investigate, in aid of legislation, the said alleged ransom payment for the release of Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55.

“If the payment is indeed true, it has set a terribly troubling precedent that will only serve to encourage the Abu Sayyaf and other kidnap-for-ransom groups to engage in such activities, especially those targeting foreigners,” the lawmakers said.

According to the resolution, “the payment of hundreds of millions of pesos to the said terrorist group will not only motivate them to kidnap more foreigners.”

This would “also allow them to utilize such big funds to procure more firearms and weapons to the detriment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and law-enforcement agencies.”

According to government reports, the two Germans were traveling within Philippine waters using a private yacht in April when they were abducted by the terrorist group. They were held captive for six months and were then scheduled to be executed in October, if the ransom money was not paid.

“The Philippine government denied that payment of ransom money was involved to secure the release of the two German nationals,” Alejano and Acedillo’s resolution said.

According to the lawmakers, the terrorist group uploaded this month a video on the Internet showing it arranging and counting a very visible big stash of money.

It was also visible in the video the money was composed of bundles of P1,000 bills.
“Such payment, if true, means that more than P100 million in thousand-peso bills will leave a paper trail involving Philippine banks that facilitated the transfer of such huge amounts of money,” the lawmakers said.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/ex-putschists-seek-probe-on-p250-m-ransom-payment-to-abu-sayyaf/

MILF: House Ad Hoc Committee on BBL holds consultation in Pagadian City.

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 1): House Ad Hoc Committee on BBL holds consultation in Pagadian City.



The Ad Hoc Committee on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) conducted held consultation on House Bill No. 4994 at the Executive Function Hall of Pagadian City capitol building.
   

The public hearing was presided over by Ad Hoc Committee chairman Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan De Oro. With his group were representatives from Zamboanga Del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, a partylist representative, and others.

GPH Peace Panel Chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Atty. Leo Lorena of Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and Atty. Lanang T. Ali Jr. of Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) were the resource persons.

Majority of the participants in the public hearing were from the local government units (LGUs). Those that were not in the list were not allowed to attend the public hearing.

The local government unit of Pagadian City is not part of the Bangsamoro core territory and is lukewarm on BBL. Some participants raised the following questions on:

1.    Why do we need Bangsamoro government when it will only divide the Filipino people?
2.    Why do we have to create a government within the government?
3.    How are we assured that the MILF surrender their firearms to the government?
4.    If the MILF party does not win in the election, will they not engage in rebellion again?
5.    Why is Bangsamoro authorized to have their flag, anthem, and seal?
6.    What will happen to MILF combatants who are not professionals, will they be integrated in the Bangsamoro Police?

The participants who support the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) were not be given a chance to join in the discussions and air their statements to the Ad Hoc Committee on BBL.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1373-house-ad-hoc-committee-on-bbl-holds-consultation-in-pagadian-city

MILF: Iqbal says the future of Cotabato City is in the Bangsamoro

Posted to the MILF Website (Nov 30): Iqbal says the future of Cotabato City is in the Bangsamoro



BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal appealed on November 24 to officials of Cotabato City’s 37 barangays to become a part of the Bangsamoro because their “future is in the Bangsamoro.”
  

In his message read for him by BTC Commissioner Peter Eisma, Iqbal mentioned both economic and social reasons that serve as “our golden opportunity that may not present itself again if we miss it.”

“Surely, with its financial institutions and service economy, Cotabato City stands to gain a lot, as it has over the past 25 years in spite of its being temporary seat of the ARMM,” Iqbal said.

He added that “more than the economics of it, the Bangsamoro is a remedy to social problems like peace and order. The normalization process will set into motion, among other things, the joint efforts of the AFP, PNP and BIAF in disbanding private armies and other armed groups that have been the scourge of our communities.”

“It has everything to gain and nothing to lose if it decides to join the new political entity,” Iqbal emphasized.

In an event dubbed as “LGU Roundtable Discussion on the Proposed BBL” held at Southseas Mall of Cotabato City, barangay chairpersons and kagawads took turns in raising question to the panel of discussants led by Commissioners Eisma, Froilyn Mendoza and Timway Melanio Ulama.

Professor Raby Angkal of the MILF Political Committee and Atty. Haron Meling of the Office of the Chairman (BTC) also served as resource persons.

The gathering, organized by the United Youth of the Philippines (UnYPhil) –Women and supported by Giz (Deutsche Gesellchaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Zfd (Ziviler Friedensdient) or Civil Peace Service, was a culmination of the community dialogues held in 20 of the 37 barangays.

The forum tried to generate the perspective of the elected barangay officials as distinguished from the issues and concerns raised by their constituents during the two-month series of dialogues conducted in the barangays.

Main resource persons to the 20 community dialogues were BTC Comm. Mendoza, BTC Communications Group Head Abdullah Cusain, Prof. Angkal and Duma Mascud as alternate to Angkal.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1372-iqbal-says-the-future-of-cotabato-city-is-in-the-bangsamoro

MILF: International and local Peace Builders visit Mindanao’s premier university, support BBL

Posted to the MILF Website (Nov 30): International and local Peace Builders visit Mindanao’s premier university, support BBL



A delegation of International and local peace builders visited the Institute of Middle East and Asian Studies (IMEAS) of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, Cotabato and held dialogue with the faculty and students in the afternoon of November 19, 2014. USM is a premier university in Southern part of the Philippines.
  

IMEAS faculty members and more than three hundred students of Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies (BAIS) and Bachelor of Science in International Relations joined the dialogue. Professor Badrodin S. Abdulkadir, Dean of IMEAS welcomed their guests and expressed his profound gratitude to their guests for making the visit and the conduct of forum on BBL. Dr. Abdulkadir said that IMEAS is very supportive to any program that may lead to peace and development.

The visitors led by Prof. Danniel “Dann” Pantoja, Executive Director of the Peace Builders Community based in Davao City expressed their full support to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the Bangsamoro Government.The members of the delegation include Arthur Block from Canada, Salome Haldeman of France and Jonathan Cranston from the United States.

The students were so impressed and happy with the visit of the international peacebuilders.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1371-international-and-local-peace-builders-visitmindanao’s-premier-university-support-bbl

MILF: UNICEF conducts orientation for MILF-BIAF Commanders

Posted to the MILF Website (Nov 29): UNICEF conducts orientation for MILF-BIAF Commanders



The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) conducted orientation for Commanders of the MILF- Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) on November 18, 2014 at Camp Rajamuda, Pikit, North Cotabato.
  

There were Five Hundred (500) BIAF Commanders from the 108th Base Command, 109th Base Command and 110th Base Command of the Western Mindanao Front based at Camp Rajamuda that attended the orientation.

The orientation focused on the UN-MILF Action Plan for Non recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict. Four (4) Modules were presented and discussed with Module-I pertaining to “The Children in Armed Conflict”.  It was presented by Nor-Ayn Makakena from Plan International. She stressed the international definition of children as “18 years old below” and they should not be recruited and involved in armed conflict.  

Second Module was on “Framework for Child Protection”, presented and discussed by Sittie Rajabia Morato, UNICEF Consultant. Her inputs include the basic rights of children. Third Module was on “Monitoring and Reporting in the Philippines”. The last module was on “Action Plan Implementation” presented by Shree Nadarajah from the UNICEF.

Ms. Nadarajah mentioned that only the MILF has an agreement with United Nation on non-recruitment, non-admission and non-use of children in armed conflict.

She also said that, Chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim and BIAF Chief Sammy Al-Mansur signed the agreement.  After several presentations, questions and answers followed.  Several clarifications were raised by the participants.

During the closing program, the three base commanders expressed their commitments in the implementation of the general order issued to them. One commander said, they are abiding with what have been stipulated in the general order signed by UN and MILF.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1370-unicef-conducts-orientation-for-milf-biaf-commanders

CPP: Video -- Buhay Komunista 2

Propaganda video posted to the CPP Website (Nov 29): Video -- Buhay Komunista 2 



[Video: Buhay Komunista 2  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4if3PuIt-2c&list=UUIdJcoTlC5Q5jrKCOh4dJeA]

Part II of the video Buhay Komunista 1, released last December 24, 2013. Buhay Komunista 2 deals with the revolutionary urban mass movement.

The overall socio-economic conditions, as well as the particular conditions confronting the people continue to be exceedingly favorable for arousing, organizing and mobilizing large numbers of people in a mass movement that advances the cause of national and social liberation.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/

Skeletal remains of suspected NPA retrieved in Bukidnon

From GMA News (Nov 30): Skeletal remains of suspected NPA retrieved in Bukidnon

The skeletal remains of a suspected New People's Army rebel found in a mountainous area in Bukidnon were brought to a town in the province to be buried over the weekend.

Military authorities have turned over to the Libona police the investigation into the individual's death, GMA Northern Mindanao reported.

For now, the rebel's remains were buried at the Sil-ipon public cemetery.

Lt. Col. Naser Lindasan, commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division's first Special Force, theorized the rebel may have died as early as four months ago, the report said.

The military said the NPA member may have been a member of the 68th Front Committee.

Initial investigation showed the skeletal remains were seen by patrolling soldiers at Sitio Alawon in Barangay Sil-ipon last week.

Lidasan said the person may have died four months ago, but the decomposition was slow due to the cold weather.

The fatality was wearing an NPA uniform.

Also recovered from the area were items including soap, mobile phone cards, eight rosaries and a high school ID.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390459/news/regions/skeletal-remains-of-suspected-npa-retrieved-in-bukidnon

Magdalo solons seek probe into alleged P250-M ransom paid to Abu Sayyaf group

From GMA News (Nov 30): Magdalo solons seek probe into alleged P250-M ransom paid to Abu Sayyaf group

Magdalo party-list Reps. Gary Alejano and Francisco Ashley Acedillo have called for an immediate congressional inquiry into the alleged payment of a P250-million ransom to the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group for the release of their two German hostages last October.

“If the payment is indeed true, it has set a terribly troubling precedent that will only serve to encourage the Abu Sayyaf and other kidnap-for-ransom groups to engage in such activities, especially those targeting foreigners,” Alejano and Acedillo said in filing House Resolution 1679.

The measure directs the appropriate House committee to investigate the reported ransom payment for the release of Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55.

The two Germans were released by the Abu Sayyaf group on October 17 after being held for six months on a remote island south of Jolo in Mindanao. The Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group had earlier threatened to execute the foreigners if ransom money was not paid.

While German and Filipino authorities have refused to disclose whether a ransom was paid to secure the two hostages, the terrorist group reportedly uploaded a video online earlier this month showing its members posing with several stacks of P1,000 bills.

In the video, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami claimed the money on display in a jungle setting was the full P250 million ($5.7 million) they demanded for the release of the captives.

The Magdalo party-list lawmakers said that if the ransom payment to the Abu Sayyaf indeed took place, it would leave a paper trail involving Philippine banks that facilitated the transfer of huge amounts of money.

They added that the release and transportation of large sums of money should alert the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and other agencies of the Philippine government, which may be in a position to look into such transfers.

“The payment of hundreds of millions of pesos to the said terrorist group will not only motivate them to kidnap more foreigners but will also allow them to utilize such big funds to procure more firearms and weapons to the detriment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and law enforcement agencies,” the lawmakers said.

Alejano and Acedillo urged Congress to probe the reports of  ransom payments to the Abu Sayyaf to protect national and public interest.

“There is an urgent need to ascertain the truth to these allegations vis-à-vis government’s ‘no-ransom policy,’ so that the safety of the public – including local and foreign tourists – are assured and that government is able to protect its soldiers and law enforcers as well,” they said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390444/news/nation/magdalo-solons-seek-probe-into-alleged-p250-m-ransom-paid-to-abu-sayyaf-group

China leader vows to protect territorial interests

From InterAksyon (Nov 30): China leader vows to protect territorial interests



Chinese President Xi Jinping. REUTERS/Files

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a key foreign policy speech that the rising Asian nation would protect its sovereign territory, the Xinhua news agency reported, as it faces maritime disputes with several neighbors.

"We should firmly uphold China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests and national unity," Xi told a Communist Party meeting on foreign affairs held on Friday and Saturday, according to excerpts of his speech released by Xinhua on Sunday.

Ties between China and Japan have been strained over the past two years after Tokyo nationalized the Senkaku islands -- which it already administered -- in the East China Sea. Beijing also claims the chain, which it calls the Diaoyu islands.

China and Southeast Asian countries -- including Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei -- also have competing claims for the Spratly islands in the South China Sea. Taiwan, which China considers part of its sovereign territory, also has a claim to part of the Spratlys.

Xi, both China's president and Communist Party secretary, added his country would "properly handle territorial and island disputes" but did not name them.

Relations between China and Japan have improved after Xi and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on November 10, but Chinese coastguard ships have continued to patrol waters around the disputed islands.

On a more conciliatory note, Xi told officials at the meeting that China sought "peaceful development" and opposed the "willful use or threat of force".

The leaders of the United States, Australia and Japan earlier this month called for peaceful resolutions of maritime disputes, after US President Barack Obama warned of the dangers of outright conflict in Asia as China contests disputed territory.

China views the US foreign policy "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region as an attempt to contain it.

The Chinese leader made no direct reference to the United States in the portions of his speech released by Xinhua, other than saying Beijing should "manage well" relations with other major countries.

"We should fully recognize the uncertainty in China's neighboring environment, but we should also realize that the general trend of prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region will not change," Xi said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100210/china-leader-vows-to-protect-territorial-interests

MILF preparing lay down guns in initial decommissioning process

From InterAksyon (Dec 1): MILF preparing lay down guns in initial decommissioning process



Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator at a House hearing on Bangsamoro Basic Law. FILE PHOTO BY LIRA FERNANDEZ

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Sunday said it is already preparing its firearms for decommissioning, which is to take place in January next year in compliance with the peace accord it negotiated with the Philippine government.

"It's all systems go for the symbolic decommissioning of our firearms," Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said as he stressed the MILF's determination to attain peace in its homeland.

As clearly stipulated in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the government and MILF in March, the MILF will decommission its forces.

The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), composed of representative from foreign countries, has already completed an initial inventory of firearms that the MILF will turn over to the IDB.

However, Igbal speaking to reporters, refused to reveal how many firearms, its make, and caliber will be turned over by the MILF combatants.

"The IDB has put up the documents that would provide the terms of reference for the decommissioning of the MILF combatants,” Iqbal said.

In previous interviews, Iqbal said 75 firearms will form part of the initial decommissioning process, 25 of which are high powered guns, and the rest were medium-powered. He assured the firearms are well maintained, serviceable, and not defective as some sectors are claiming.

Describing the upcoming turn-over of firearms as "emotional and sentimental," Iqbal added the "MILF is doing sacrifice for the sake of peace in our homeland."

Iqbal said after the initial decommissioning process to take place late January next year, more firearms will be turned over to the IDB and will be stored in an area he refused to divulge.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100241/milf-preparing-lay-down-guns-in-initial-decommissioning-process