spot_img
25.9 C
Philippines
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Duterte to lead ex-MILF’s decommissioning

- Advertisement -

President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the decommissioning process of the ex-Moro Islamic Liberation Front members on Sept. 7, his peace adviser said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez said around 1,206 MILF combatants and 920 weapons would be deactivated in a ceremony as part of the normalization process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“The public launch of the decommissioning process will be on Sept. 7 and will be attended by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte,” Galvez said in a Palace briefing Tuesday.

Twelve thousand MILF members are expected to participate in the decommissioning process this year.

To ensure long-lasting peace in Mindanao, Galvez said President Duterte is also open to create a regional government in Sulu for the Moro National Liberation Front, distinct from the MILF-dominated BARMM.

- Advertisement -

“That is the presidential guidance and we will look into it,” Galvez said.

The BARMM is created through the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law after government’s negotiations with the MILF, a breakaway faction of the MNLF.

MNLF leader Nur Misuari has opposed the creation of BARMM, saying it was in favor of their rival MILF and has excluded his group.

Galvez also said that appointing an MNLF member as deputy chief minister of the BARMM is also a possibility.

He said he would meet with Misuari on Wednesday, but refused to give further details on what they would discuss.

The President had repeatedly expressed hope of reaching an agreement with Misuari, who warned of war should government fail to pursue a shift to federalism.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles