MANILA, Philippines – NANANATILING dedikado ang gobyernong Marcos na tuparin ang pangako nito sa peace agreement kasama ang Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at maging ang iba pang aspeto ng Normalization Program.
“The completion of the third phase signifies the strong partnership of the government and the MILF to pursue a singular mission of transforming the Bangsamoro…..reflective of the President’s vision to build a Bangsamoro that is self-governing, progressive, and effective,” ayon kay Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo, Jr. sa isinagawang decommissioning sa Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
“The national government also maintains its dedicated support and commitment to the other aspects of the Normalization Program such as socioeconomic development, security, transitional justice and reconciliation, and confidence-building measures including amnesty,” aniya pa rin.
Ang decommissioning process ay isa sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Normalization Program.
Gayunman, mahalaga itong hakbang bilang hudyat ng official transition ng mga dating rebelde sa mainstream society bilang “productive at peaceful citizens.”
Binanggit din ni Lagdameo ang mga material steps na gagamitin sa ilalim ng administrasyong Marcos para isulong ang Normalization Program.
Sa aspeto ng Social Protection, tinatayang may 5,499 decommissioned combatants (DC) ang nabigyan ng cash assistance; at 35,000 birth certificate applications ang kasalukuyang pino-proseso.
Para naman sa Capacity Development, mayroong 3,000 decommissioned combatants ang nakakompleto na ng kanilang skills training sa TESDA, habang 3,658 at kanilang next-of-kin ay natapos ang kanilang basic education sa pamamagitan ng Alternative Learning System.
“The ongoing construction of three community irrigation systems in Maguindanao, and near completion of six Rural Health Units with Birthing Facilities are scheduled for turnover this year,” ayon kay Lagdameo.
“Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) measures and initiatives were also undertaken,” aniya pa rin sabay sabing mayroon aniyang ‘ongoing establishment’ ng Local Amnesty Boards sa buong bansa sa pag-asang palalawigin ang period para sa pagpupuno ng amnesty applications.
“As mentioned in the last ICCMN (Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization) Meeting, the socio-economic aspect of the Normalization Program, aimed at providing combatants with a sustainable means of reintegration, will remain a top priority,” ang wika ni Lagdameo.
Ang susunod na ICCMN ay ire-reconvene sa Agosto 10 para sundin ang commitments ng partner agencies.
“Indeed, the task of implementing our deliverables is not an easy feat, but through our continued and unified efforts, we will be able to translate them into actual peace dividends that improve the quality of life of the Bangsamoro People,” aniya pa rin.
Nagpasalamat naman si Lagdameo sa international partners ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) at iba pang “shepherds of peace, ” kung saan ang kontribusyon ay instrumental sa makahalugang transpormasyon ng MILF combatants at pagtataguyod ng ‘sustainable peace’ sa Bangsamoro.
“The national government, hopes that its partners from the MILF stay the course of peace, in the spirit of ownership of the peace agreement, as he assured the Muslim leadership that the administration will work doubly hard to complete the task for Phase 4 and the rest of the Normalization Program,” ani Lagdameo.
“I urge, especially our partners in local government and other stakeholders, that we continue working together towards lasting unity, and build on the confidence and goodwill between us,” aniya pa rin.
Samantala, mula 2015 hanggang 2022, may kabuuang 28,844 MILF combatants at 4,625 firearms ang na- decommissioned, 5,499 ng na- decommissioned noong Setyembre hanggang Oktubre 2022 sa ilalim ng administrasyong Marcos. Kris Jose
