150 MILF members training jointly with policemen, soldiers

DAVAO CITY—Some 150 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the armed component of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), participated in the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) training that started on Monday in Parang, Maguindanao.

The training is aimed at providing security to many areas controlled by the MILF while the organization continues to decommission its more than 40,000 fighters.

The trained MILF members will also be expected to assist in documenting private armies and other armed groups, and help government security forces reduce the proliferation of loose firearms.

They will also be expected to help maintain the cease-fire and end politically-motivated violence, as well as provide security personnel for activities related to peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

The training is being held in Camp Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, and the MILF were joined by 96 policemen and 77 military personnel.

The trained MILF will also be assigned to different areas that were already mutually agreed upon by the government and the MILF to support the peace and order and stability in the said areas.

Bangsamoro government Environment Minister Abdulraof Macacua has urged the people to support the sustainability of peace and order.

“Ang pagtitipon na ito ay nagpapatunay lamang na tunay na makapangyarihan ang tinatawag nating kapayapaan [This gathering illustrates how powerful peace is],” he said.

In the keynote address read by Macacua, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said “in our previous experience, we have to treat this transition test as another chapter of Bangsamoro struggle.

“As warrior of peace, we are obliged to do our best in any task before us including attentive participation in this training, In Shaa Allah.”

Ebrahim added, “I look forward to the beneficial experience for our participants and I pray that our learning will help our people in preserving peace for the Bangsamoro.”