Decommissioned MILF combatants conveyed in a book their desire for peace in Mindanao

• Feb 18, 2016
• Gandhi Kinjiyo
• HITS: 3595

Ten former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants who participated in the first phase of Decommissioning process last June 16, 2015 conveyed their long desire for peace in Mindanao in a book that compiled their narratives.

The life stories of ten former MILF fighters were featured in the book entitled, “The Journey of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s First Ex-Combatants,” that was formally launched at the BTC Office in Cotabato City last Monday (Feb 15).

It was published by Cambodia-based Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) with the support of the British Embassy in Manila.

The decommissioning of MILF’s fighters and weapons manifested the Front’s adherence on its commitment to the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The measure aims to bring the forces and arms of the MILF beyond use.

Abdulsamad Ahmad, Haron Panalao, Abdullah Mashod, Esrafil Sampayan, Michael Ragondo, Tamanu Tunduk, H. Abdulaziz Andik, Manap Butokan, Goliart Sarif and Ebrahim Amam were the former combatants featured in the 50-page manuscript.

They were among the 145 former Mujaheedin who participated in the first phase of the decommissioning process.

 “I want this conflict to be solved peacefully so that we can live a peaceful life, on good terms with everybody, in a society where there is no violence, no corruption, where people can trust each other,” said Abdulsamad Ahmad.

Haron Panalo said, “I think what I can be proud of is that I can humbly say that I was able to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict.”

Abdullah Mashod disclosed his yearning for the Bangsamoro Government to be established vowing his support to the new government with hope that the all people can live peacefully.

“If I think about my future, I wish that there will be no more fighting, we can live a peaceful life with each other,” said Esrafil Sampayan. He added that with peace, their family can live a normal life and development will come.

“If this peace process succeeds and the conflict ends there will be a lot of change; our lives will be transformed,” Michael Ragundo pointed out.

Tamanu Tandok said, “If the peace process succeeds I believe that we can have sustainable peace and development in the future. People can see us living in peace.”

“When the time comes I hope the MILF will become part of mainstream society. If it joins the government we can have model communities where there is no corruption, where people live in harmony regardless of their religion, and everybody will see each other as friends and we will live a normal life,” Manap Butokan said.

BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal and BTC Commissioners Akmad Sakkam, Abdullah Camlian, Ibrahim Ali, Melanio Ulama, Talib Abdulhamid Benito, and Raissa Jajurie witnessed the book launch. Government Peace Panel Chairperson Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer also graced the event.

Anyone interested to obtain e-copy (PDF format) of the publication can download from the CPCS website www.centrepeaceconflictstudies.org.

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