IN PHOTO Engr. Edward Guerra, Head of MILF Foreign Affairs (in white shirt), Mr. Chris Rush of Geneva Call (center), Ms. Marie Lequin, Head of Eurasia Region of Geneva Call, Alex Virtanen of Non Violent Peace force, and Mr. Muhammad Ameen, Secretary of the MILF Central Committee pose for a photo after their meeting at the MILF Central Committee Plenary Hall, Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao

Geneva Call Delegation visits MILF Leaders

• Apr 14, 2018
• Arya Shariff, Luwaran
• HITS: 1683

CAMP DARAPANAN (April 13, 2018) – Ms. Marie Lequin, Head of Eurasia Region of Geneva Call and her delegation met with MILF Officials at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on April 13, 2018.

Lequin visited the MILF camp with her colleagues Chris Rush, and Alex Virtanen currently of Nonviolent Peaceforce but soon to be heading up Geneva Call’s operations in the country.  

MILF Head of Foreign Affairs Engr. Eduard Guerra, and MILF Secretariat Chair Muhammad Ameen gladly received the guests. MILF Central Committee members Duli Ahmad, and Mohammad Salih were also present, and participated during the discussion.

“We are also looking forward to continuing to co-operate with you on the promotion of humanitarian norms” Lequin said after Guerra mentioned the achievements of the MILF regarding the prevention of the use of child soldiers in warfare and the implementation of the agreement in banning of land mines. 

The group talked about the current efforts and milestones of the MILF related to the mandate of Geneva Call. Areas of possible collaboration between the two organizations were discussed during the meeting. 

Geneva Call is a Swiss-based organization engaging with armed non-state actors to encourage them to comply with international humanitarian norms. It initially focused on the banning of AP mines and then expanded to the protection of children in armed conflict and the prohibition of sexual violence and gender discrimination. It has since further expanded its programmes to cover international humanitarian law more broadly.

Guerra also talked about the normalization process and the security aspect of the peace process. He mentioned the deployment of Joint Peace and Security Team in strategic areas to maintain peace and order. 

According to Guerra, revision of JPST curriculum is currently on-going. 

The visitors from Geneva Call also asked for updates regarding the current status of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the Congress. 

Ameen said that public hearings have already been conducted by both the Lower and Upper House of the Congress on the core areas of the Bangsamoro. 

“So far, the consultations were very positive because the majority of the participants [of the public hearings] were so eager to fast track the passage of the BBL” Ameen added.

Geneva Call is set to establish an office in the Philippines which will be headed by Alex Virtanen. Virtanen commended the efforts of the MILF in disseminating information pertaining to IHL. 

He is also looking forward to continuing to work with the MILF and welcomed further discussions regarding the details of this co-operation towards enhancing the protection of civilians in Mindanao. 

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