26,145 MILF combatants Decommissioned

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 26,145 former combatants of secessionist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been decommissioned and are now living as civilians in communities, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said yesterday.

A key component of the normalization program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the decommissioning process involves laying down of arms and return of former combatants to mainstream society.

“These former MILF combatants are now fighting a different battle, and that is to improve their socioeconomic well-being,” Galvez said.

Meanwhile, the transformation program for the Moro National Liberation Front, which was launched in October, is expected to improve the life of and empower MNLF members as agents of peace and development.

“Our MNLF brothers and sisters are determined to help move forward the government’s peace agenda and walk the path of peace,” Galvez said.

He said the government is showing the MNLF that it is bent on fulfilling its commitments as provided under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Galvez cited the progress made under the Bangsamoro peace process with the passage by the Bangsamoro Parliament of five of its seven priority codes, which aim to improve the socioeconomic condition of its people and boost the region’s economy.

He said crafting and passage of these codes indicated that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority is growing stronger.