Gov’t, MILF sign protocol for arms decommissioning

MANILA, Philippines - As the nation grieves over the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) policemen, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday the protocol in surrendering the weapons of the rebels.

The government peace panel led by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and MILF panel chair Mohagher Iqbal signed the protocol on the implementation of the Terms of Reference of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB).

The two panels also renewed the mandate of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) for another year or until March 2016.

Both panels stressed their commitment to pursue the normalization process.

In a joint statement, the government and the MILF peace panels opened their meeting by expressing their deep sympathy and grief for the killing of the 44 SAF police commandos.

The slain policemen were part of the almost 400-strong SAF team that figured in a firefight with MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.

They were on a top-secret mission to capture Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, a prime suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings and one of the most wanted terrorists, with a $5-million bounty for his capture.

But after killing a person they thought to be Marwan, the police commandos came under devastating ambushes from the two guerrilla groups.

The killings have sparked growing calls for retribution against the MILF.

“In accordance with the statements made by President Aquino and chair (Al Haj) Murad in relation to this tragic incident, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the attainment of peace that has long eluded Mindanao. In this vein, they resolved to strengthen their cooperation and coordination in addressing security concerns in the most effective and appropriate manner, and also in rebuilding trust and public confidence in the peace process,” the government and MILF peace panels said.

The two panels also supported the investigation being conducted by the government’s Board of Inquiry and the Special Investigative Commission on the part of the MILF.

They commended the IMT and the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities of the government and the MILF for their effort to impose a ceasefire in the affected areas.

“Their courageous efforts prevented further loss of life and put to safety those who might have been put in harm’s way had the fighting escalated,” the government and MILF peace panels said.

The protocol laid out the process and steps for the inventory of firearms of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) personnel, the verification of the MILF inventory by the IDB headed by Ambassador Haydar Berk of Turkey.

The protocol also detailed the ceremonial turnover of weapons, the MILF submission to IDB of a list on where their BIAF forces are deployed and where and how the MILF arms will be kept and put beyond use.

Under the heading of amnesty and pardon, the protocol also spells out “legal forms of confidence building measures” on the speedy resolution of cases of persons charged with or convicted of crimes or offenses connected to the armed conflict in Mindanao.

The panels agreed on the term decommissioning as the process of “putting the weapons of the MILF beyond use” and the process of “allowing a smooth transition for MILF combatants to productive civilian life.”

The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hailed the signing of the protocol on the decommissioning of firearms and fighters of the MILF.

“It is another concrete step towards realizing peace,” DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said.

For its part, the AFP said they expect this development would eventually lead to the disarmament of MILF rebels.

“This is a welcome first step. We’ve been looking forward to it. Hopefully, it bodes well for the next stage that will allow for disarmament. Any kind of activity that will ease tension is welcome,” AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said. – With Jaime Laude