BARMM To DND, DILG: Elevate MILF Decommissioning To Cabinet Discussions

The five elected governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are appealing to the government to include the peace and order situation in their area, particularly the full decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in a Cabinet meeting.

The appeal was in connection with the group’s apprehension over potential unrest in the region, especially with the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, if the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) do not properly manage the process.

In a statement released to the media on Tuesday, July 11, Lanao Del Sur Gov. and Bangsamoro Government Center spokesman Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. said it is crucial to discuss the issue in a Cabinet meeting as soon as possible.

He called on DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos to bring the matter to the attention of the Cabinet members and President Marcos himself.

“Tinatawag natin ang pansin sa pangunguna ni DND Secretary Teodoro at DILG Secretary Abalos na dalhin sa attention ng Cabinet, na mapag-usapan sa Cabinet meeting maski kahit ilang minuto lang, makarating sa mahal na Presidente, ang problema sa peace and order na hindi epektibo ang decommissioning. I-review sana at revisit ang decommissioning process para mabigyan ng solusyon ang problemang kinakaharap nito,” Adiong told radio station dzRH in an interview.

The governor highlighted the extension of decommissioning as a significant issue for the MILF. He stated, "Of course, for the MILF, it is clear that the decommissioning of their weapons and base command should be completed before the 2022 elections. But because of the extension, the election season is extended, and now the decommissioning should be completed before the 2025 elections."

He emphasized that the MILF's arms and base command should be turned over to the national government, as it is not possible to have an election in 2025 with armed groups on the ground.

Adiong also explained the mission of MILF's decommissioning, which he said has a clear direction for the peace of BARMM.

"This means that the armed members of the MILF should become law-abiding citizens.

Their firearms should be turned over to an independent decommissioning body so they won't be used, and the MILF camps and base commands should be dismantled. That's what will facilitate the decommissioning. The five governors also want to help with this decommissioning," he added.

Under the current roadmap, 40,000 MILF combatants are required to undergo decommissioning.

The BGC is composed of the elected governors of the five provinces in BARMM, namely Adiong, Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Abdusakur Tan of Sulu, Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman of Basilan and Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi.