Westmincom fetes international peace monitors

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has awarded medals to members of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) for ensuring that there is no violation of the peace accord between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. and his staff accorded the honors during the exit call of the IMT-16 led by Maj. Gen. Datuk Hamdan Bin Hj Ismail on Tuesday.

Rosario noted that no violation of the ceasefire agreement was recorded from April 2020 to April 2021 even though some IMT members tested positive for COVID-19.

“As foreign military observers, you, our friends from Malaysia and Brunei, worked behind the scenes to monitor the implementation of the peace process that resulted in numerous gains in the Philippine government’s pursuit of peace and growth, particularly in the Bangsamoro region,” Rosario said.

Aside from monitoring the security aspect, socio-economic assistance and civilian protection component of the peace agreement with the MILF, the IMT conducted field verification and validation of reported ceasefire-related violations as well as the implementation of development projects initiated by the Philippine government and donor countries in the Bangsamoro region.

Rosario said the IMT also conducted medical missions in partnership with the Department of Health in MILF areas in Datu Tumangong, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay and Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.