Mindanao Peace Process

COTABATO CITY --- Regional security officials were elated with the commitment of support from the largest bloc in the Moro National Liberation Front to the anti-terror campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division, said Thursday MNLF’s pledge to help the Western Mindanao Command and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region maintain law and order in areas where it has members is a boost to efforts of addressing local security woes.

COTABATO CITY – Ten more combatants of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have abandoned their cause and decided to return to the fold of law to live normal lives again.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) commander, said the surrenderers belong to the BIFF Karialan faction operating in the marshlands of Maguindanao under the SPMS box.

MAGUINDANAO --- The Army’s 6^th Infantry Division has expanded its anti-communist insurgency initiatives but the gates of its camps remain wide open to rebels wishing to return to mainstream society.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of 6^th ID said Wednesday they can reintroduce members in Central Mindanao of the New People’s Army (NPA) to the local communities via the municipal and provincial governments in the region.

The family of Akmad Kamensa has to leave their home in 2002 to find safer place from the on-going conflict during that year in Barangay Talibadok, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao under the geographical territory of Camp Omar of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

It was difficult for Akmad, with his wife and their nine children to vacate their home but it was their only choice to protect their children and the whole family from the threat of war.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A member of the Islamic State-inspired Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group has surrendered to government troops in Lanao del Sur, officials said Friday.

Samad Macaampon, alias Abu Samad, 40, surrendered at the Tactical Command Post of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Gacap, Piagapo town at about 10 a.m. on Thursday to live a peaceful life with his family, 82IB commander, Lt. Col. Rafman Altre, said.

Macaampon, who turned over a grenade launcher, joined Dawlah Islamiya, which laid siege to Marawi City in 2017.

COTABATO CITY – Love can move mountains, so as the saying goes.

The old maxim rang true when the women who helped convince their would-be husbands to abandon the communist rebel movement tied the knot in a mass wedding in Antipas, North Cotabato on Thursday.

The pairs were among the 32 couples who were wed during the provincial government’s “Serbisyo Caravan,” described by officials as a one-stop-shop initiative for far-flung communities to access basic services and other assistance.

MAGUINDANAO --- The outgoing commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division relinquished his post Monday to a general well-versed in conflict-resolution in communities with interfaith and cross-cultural settings.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy took over from Lt. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, now retired, via a traditional turnover rite at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The event was presided over by Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commanding general of the Philippine Army.

Labintatlong miyembro ng Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Figther (BIFF) sa ilalim ng Karialan faction ang nagbalik loob sa pamahalaan at sa hanay ng 33rd Infantry (MAKABAYAN) Battalion nitong umaga ng July 14, 2020.

“Naniniwala kami sa 33rd IB na sa pagtutulungan ng Kasundaluhan, Local Government Units, at mga kapulisan ay makakaya natin maging mapayapa ang ating pamayanan” Pahayag ni LTC Elmer M Boongaling, Commanding Officer, 33rd IB.