Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cotabato (Agenzia Fides) - The beginning of the disarmament process of the Islamic militants of the "Moro Islamic Liberation Front" (MILF) is "a step that may seem small, but its importance should not be ignored": says Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotabato, who defined the start of the disarmament of the guerrillas, "a proof of sincerity of the MILF in the peace process".
The Front symbolically delivered in recent days 75 firearms to an independent body, with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and the chairman of the MILF, Al Haj Murad, as witness of the event. According to observers, the number of weapons handed does not even reach 10% of the total detained. As reported to Fides, according to Cardinal Quevedo, "it is however an important step, which should convince the public to support the peace efforts between the government and MILF".
According to the protocol of understanding signed between the parties, the delivery of a second tranche of 30% of the weapons of the MILF will happen only after Parliament approves the controversial bill on the "Bangsamoro Basic Law" which provides for the establishment of a new and extensive Islamic region on the island of Mindanao, in southern Philippines. A further 35% of the weapons in the hands of the rebels, according to the agreement, will be delivered after the "Bangsamoro government" is formed and officially established. Finally there is the delivery of the remaining 35%, which would involve the definitive renunciation of the MILF military action.
The disarmament of the guerrillas was expected with the signing of the peace which took place in Manila on March 27, 2015, which put an end to a long and bloody civil war and started a process of recognition of the autonomous region of Bangsamoro. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/06/2015)
