MILF ‘decommissioning’ under way
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is preparing for the second phase of the decommissioning of its arms and forces following the historic passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Mohagher Iqbal, MILF peace panel chair, said at least 30 percent of the MILF forces would be immediately decommissioned after the ratification of the law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
“Immediately after the ratification of the basic law, the second phase of decommissioning which will be 30 percent of our weapons and combatants will take place... but the process is already ongoing,” Iqbal said at the sidelines of the presentation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Malacañang.
“The moment the BOL is ratified then there will be an immediate decommissioning,” he added.
Another 35 percent of the
MILF combatants would be decommissioned after the “operationalization” of the Bangsamoro law.
President Duterte recently signed the long-awaited measure creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in a bid to bring lasting peace in Mindano after years of conflict. A plebiscite must be held in the proposed territories of the Bangsamoro region within 90 to 150 days from the effectivity of the law.
The MILF earlier hailed the measure as compliant with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a peace accord signed with the government back in 2014.
The MILF initiated the ceremonial decommissioning of some combatants and weapons in 2015 following the signing of the peace pact.
Under the peace agreement, 30 percent of the MILF combatants and weapons would be decommissioned after the passage of the Bangsamoro law. Another 35 percent of the troops and arms would take place after the plebiscite and the appointment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. The decommissioning of the final 35 percent will happen after the Bangsamoro government is established. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)