Dureza lauds MILF, UNICEF in ending use of minors in conflict
“We are moving from a climate of conflict, to a climate of peace.”
This was how Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza described the stage of the ongoing peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which entered a “big transition” with the release of the first batch of 1,858 children who are formally or informally associated with the Moro group’s military arm Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).
In a ceremony held in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat Friday, the MILF and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) presided over the release of 53 children, who comprised the first batch of children released by the Moro group.
"We are already signaling a big transition from a climate of conflict to a climate of peace with this disengagement of our children from a feeling of being in conflict," Dureza said.
"It's a big, big change from what it was before and thanks to UNICEF, the MILF and other partners for making this happen," he added.
Dureza believed that the parents' participation in the UNICEF activity was also a sign of their confidence that the fruits of their struggle is already coming to a fulfillment.
Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Country Representative for the Philippines said that the MILF was the first rebel group in the world to commit and work with the United Nations, through UNICEF, to stop the recruitment and use of children in conflict.
MILF and the UN signed the Action Plan in August 2009 to ensure that civilians affected by conflicts are well protected. The MILF committed itself to a concrete and time bound activities to unimpeded access by the monitoring teams, prevention of recruitment and awareness and capacity-building of its men on the child protection protocol mechanism.
"Children affected by armed conflict are some of the most vulnerable children in the world. They can be recruited as soldiers engaged in direct combat or as aides with seriously harmful consequences to their lives and well-being. Let children be children-let them play, go to school and live healthy and happy," Sylwander said.
Dureza also noted that children, who grew up with their parents engaged in armed conflict, will most probably also volunteer to fight.
"It is by nature that the children of a combatant will sympathize and help protect their family. We must provide the enabling environment to make this process easier for everyone."
"The significance today is that we are now at the right time, the time has come as what our President said – may forever na ang peace. Today is a very significant day and thank you for helping us arrive in this very significant milestone in our quest for lasting peace," he added.
Dureza promised that the government will be doing an immediate profiling of the 1,858 children to know how government can effectively intervene.
"We will try our best to get the government to assist you."
"The government and the Filipino people should already embrace and take care of you now for you will be the next leaders of the Filipino people," Dureza added.