MANILA – Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should avoid further conflict with the government, said President Rodrigo Duterte.
He added the decommissioning ceremony in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Saturday should inspire the MILF combatants to move forward in their lives.
“As our decommissioned combatants open a new chapter in your lives, I hope that they will be inspired to take this opportunity to improve their lives and create a better future for your families and loved ones as well,” Duterte said.
“Let us all celebrate this milestone, confident that we have started building a better and brighter future for our nation where every Filipino – regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, or ideological leanings – will have a chance to live in peace, prosperity and harmony with one another,” he added.
He promised former rebels will get assistance from the government to attain normal lives.
“As we proceed with the decommissioning process, let me assure our MILF combatants that the government will assist you as you reintegrate into society and enjoy fruitful and productive civilian lives. I look forward to having you as government’s partners as we take further strides in securing lasting peace and order in Mindanao,” Duterte said.
More than a thousand guerrillas turned over 940 weapons in a single day, in a graduated decommissioning process that aims to turn the MILF – the country’s largest rebel force – into a regular political party.
The process was a crucial step under a peace deal that granted the recently installed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
By March 2020, around 12,000 fighters comprising 30-percent of the MILF total force are expected to be decommissioned./PN
