3rd phase of Decommissioning of MILF combatant to resume in September- OPAPRU Sec. Galvez

In a report posted online, Galvez said, “I would like to report that more than 19,200 combatants were already decommissioned. And for this year, we're able to decommission 7,200. We now have a go signal on September 28 for the decommissioning of more or less 5,000 combatants,” Galvez said.

Phase 1 of the Decommissioning was held in 2015, phase 2 from 2019-2020, and the first batch of phase 3 from 2021-2022.

The decommissioning of MILF members is under the security component of the Normalization Program, which aims to transform the former combatants into peaceful and productive citizens. 

Under the Normalization Program, decommissioned MILF combatants and their families will also be provided with various socioeconomic and livelihood assistance programs in order to help them successfully reintegrate into mainstream society.