MNLF: Armory worth P450B

The Moro National Liberation Front on Monday stressed that the government will spend at least P450 billion should it follow the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s circular allocating P45,000 for the reintegration program of verified members of the rebel group.

MNLF spokesperson Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla told Daily Tribune that the Memorandum Circular 6 series of 2022 has allegedly altered the 1996 Final Peace Agreement of the MNLF and the government which provides that MNLF combatants will not be absorbed by law enforcement agencies and they can keep their firearms in their communities.

“The memorandum circular signed by former DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista speak of turning over of firearms worth P45,000 each, So I am asking, can a department order supersede the provision of the 1996 peace agreement?” Fontanilla said.

He added that the Bautista circular has specified that the initial cash assistance will be given to the first 3,000 verified MNLF members and their families will also be given P9,000 for work assistance for 30 days.

Fontanilla said if the memorandum of the DSWD is implemented, it will cost the government at least P450 billion for the assorted assault rifles only not to include heavy weapons which included ground to air missiles, Rifle Propelled Grenades Mortars, Cal, 30 and 50 machine guns, grenade launchers keep in MNLF camps.

“Instead of complying with the terms of the peace agreement the government is now trying to settle the century secession problem with money, the governor cannot buy peace,” Fontanilla said.