PAGADIAN CITY – Over a dozen former Muslim rebels are now part of a joint peace and security team deployed by the Philippine military in Tungawan town in the southern province of Zamboanga Sibugay where insurgents are actively operating.
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Photos released by the military's Western Mindanao Command show some 15 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels don their blue berets and brassards and join 15 soldiers and policemen as part of the so-called Joint Peace and Security Team deployed in Zamboanga Sibugay's Tungawan town.
This was confirmed on Thursday by Army Maj. Gen.
Alfredo Rosario Jr, chief of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga
City, following Tuesday’s deployment ceremony.
He said the former rebels, all fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), joined a team of seven army soldiers and eight policemen who will help patrol security forces in the town.
Col. Antonio John Divinagracia, deputy commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, based in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Ipil town, also said that the deployment of the security team in Tungawan, is part of the government’s peace-building efforts.
“This is a great stride towards the attainment of our coveted peace not only in the Bangsamoro, but the entire Mindanao region,” he said.
The MILF, a breakaway faction of the larger Moro
National Liberation Front, signed a peace accord with Manila in 2014, and its
chieftain Murad Ebrahim eventually became the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which comprises the island-provinces of
Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi off Mindanao; and Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao on
Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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