Government Stands Firm on Socioeconomic Commitments to MILF Fighters
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) firmly rejected the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) claim that the government failed in delivering its socioeconomic commitments to decommissioned MILF fighters. Officials emphasized that the 26,145 combatants decommissioned since 2015 have benefited from ongoing support through various government programs.
David Diciano, head of Opapru’s Office for Bangsamoro Transformation, highlighted that the government’s efforts include a P100,000 transitional cash assistance for each decommissioned combatant. This is part of a broader whole-of-nation approach coordinated by the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) agencies, aimed at supporting the fighters’ reintegration.
Significant Investments and Ongoing Support Programs
Diciano shared that since 2019, the government has invested roughly P4 billion in socioeconomic programs dedicated to the welfare of decommissioned MILF combatants. These efforts encompass more than cash aid, extending to health, civil registration, skills training, and employment opportunities.
“All decommissioned combatants have been enrolled in PhilHealth. Over 60 percent have received civil registration documents, and more than 30 percent underwent skills training and emergency job placement,” he explained.
MILF’s Halt on Decommissioning Sparks Concerns
Last week, the MILF announced that it would not proceed with the decommissioning of the remaining 14,000 combatants and 2,450 weapons unless the government fulfills its promises. This decision came from the MILF central committee’s meeting on July 19 at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Diciano criticized this move as unfair, especially to those MILF members eager to complete the decommissioning. He said it denies many their chance to become productive, peaceful citizens as envisioned under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Progress Under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
The decommissioning process is a vital part of the normalization track in the CAB, the final peace accord signed by the government and MILF after 17 years of negotiations. Although the CAB was signed in 2014, the socioeconomic package framework for decommissioned combatants was only approved in February 2024.
Despite this, major socioeconomic interventions have been underway since 2015. Opapru launched an educational assistance program last year, offering P50,000 per school year to decommissioned MILF members or their next of kin enrolled in college. Currently, 2,500 beneficiaries are receiving this support.
Calls for Dialogue and Continued Peace Efforts
Diciano noted that many combatants have shown eagerness to join the decommissioning process after witnessing the benefits enjoyed by those already deactivated. However, he pointed out that the MILF has repeatedly delayed the final phase of decommissioning since 2022.
“The decision of the few should not deny the aspirations of the many,” Diciano stressed. He urged the MILF to raise concerns through proper channels, such as the Peace Implementing Panels and the Intergovernmental Relations Body, to ensure peace agreement implementation issues are resolved.
For more news and updates on MILF socioeconomic commitments, visit Filipinokami.com.
