By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. lauded the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for its resolve to push forward the Bangsamoro peace process in his State of the Peace Process Report during the opening of National Peace Consciousness Month.
“Kagagaling ko lang po ng Cotabato para sa decommissioning. Mayroon po sa kanila (MILF), naka-wheelchair. Pero ‘yung nararamdaman po nila, masayang-masaya po sila. Sabi nila, ‘at least buhay kami na naabutan namin ang peaceful resolution ng Bangsamoro conflict” Galvez said.
He noted this milestone is the product of 22 years of peace negotiations between the national government and the MILF, which spanned decades and several administrations.
“These achievements signal the start of a new and exciting chapter in the Bangsamoro people’s history,” Galvez said. “Finally, our Moro brothers and sisters are taking the lead in charting their region’s economic and political future.”
Preparations are underway for the public launching of the decommissioning of MILF combatants and their weapons on Sept. 7. Around 1,060 MILF combatants and 920 weapons will be decommissioned in ceremonies to be held in the municipality of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao.
No less than President Rodrigo Duterte and other high-ranking government officials are expected to witness the landmark event.
“Itong decommissioning ay napaka importante dahil ito ay sisimbolo ng katahimikan sa Mindanao. Ang MILF ang magiging ehemplo, na makikita natin na ang buong Mindanao ay magbebenepisyo,” Galvez said.
For his part, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles called on Filipinos to unite and work together for the nation to achieve enduring peace and sustainable development.
“As we commemorate National Peace Consciousness Month, it is imperative that we recognize that peace is a state desired by all, that its pursuit is contingent on the rejection of evil, and that our nation must collectively work for it if we want to realize our potential and lay the foundation for the kind of economic development required to lift our people out of poverty,” Nograles said.
The theme of this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month is “Tapang at Malasakit para sa Kapayapaan.” (with reports from opapp)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
