Pres. Aquino to visit Maguindanao as MILF decommissioning begins

MANILA -- The Palace said on Sunday that the decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) forces and weapons is due on Tuesday (June 16) in Sharrif Aquak, Maguindanao. Sa Martes, Hunyo 16, gaganapin ang isang makasaysayang yugto sa prosesong pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng MILF. Nakatakdang i-turnover ng MILF ang mga armas sa Independent Decommissioning Body, samantalang may mga miyembro ng Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces na sasailalim sa decommissioning (One Tuesdsay, a historic event of the peace process will take place. The MILF will decomission its firearms to the Independent decomissioning Body while members of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) will be decomissioned),” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.Coloma notes that this is part of the normalization process base on the Annex of Normalization that was signed by the government and the MILF last January 29, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ang Pangulong (Benigno) Aquino ang sasaksi sa unang yugto ng decommissioning process na itinuturing na isa sa matibay na pagpapakita ng pagsuporta at commitment ng MILF sa isinusulong na prosesong pangkapayapaan na maghahatid ng katahimikan at kaunlaran sa mga bayang sakop ng Bangsamoro (President Aquino will witness the decommissioning process, a clear commitment of the MILF in the Mindanao peace process),” said Coloma.Rebel returnees after being documented and will be receiving cash assistance and PhilHealth cards. They will also receive medium-and long-term assistance the from the Task Force Decommissioned Combantants and Communities. May tatlong bahagi ang itinakdang normalization processand security, socioeconomic development, at transitional justice and reconciliation (The normalization process has three partsand security, socio-economic development and transitional justice and reconciiation), Coloma said. Ang prosesong ito ay naglalayong bigyan ang mga kasapi ng MILF ng pagkakataong makapag-hanapbuhay at makapamuhay nang tahimik at malayo sa anomang karahasan (This process aims to give MILF to live normal lives, earn a living and away from violence),” Coloma added.According to government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the MILF will turnover 55 high-powered firearms and 20 screw-served weapons, while 145 of its members will take part in the decommissioning process. (PNA)CTB/PND/SSC and//www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=0