MILF Starts Turnover of Firearms to Decommissioning Body

Joint PressCon of GPH and MILF Peace Negotiators, re: Decommissioning Process

The chief peace negotiators of the Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) announced  that the MILF is scheduled to undergo the first phase of the decommissioning of its weapons and combatants on June 16, 2015.

The Government of the Philippines peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer confirmed in a joint press conference with MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Center, on June 11, 2015.

“Phase 1 of the process will begin with the ceremonial turnover of 55 high-powered and 20 crew-serve weapons, and the decommissioning of 145 members of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces”.

Chief Negotiator Iqbal described the decommissioning process as “very difficult” because the laying down of arms  has underlying message that may not sit well with MILF combatants. Firearms that are turned over to government is surrender. But in this case, since the weapons will be turned over to an independent body, decommissioning became a more palatable option to the rebel group.

Please note however, that the decommissioning has a symbiotic relationship with government’s deliverables. Progress is dependent on how fast GPH can act on its commitments.

The President himself will be the guest of honor during the ceremonial turnover, according to GPH chief negotiator Ferrer. Because of this, the MILF chief negotiator is also making arrangements for Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim to be present. The MILF Chair is out of this country, as of this presscon, for previously arranged engagements.

The start of the decommissioning process, which the MILF has committed, hopes to keep the peace process alive, even as the Bangsamoro Basic Law is still pending in both chambers of Congress. The house have filed a substitute bill, but senate have yet to release its committee report and still drafting a substitute bill.