3rd phase of MILF-BIAF Decommissioning to end August 10- OPAPRU Director Orbeso

The government is looking forward to the fourth phase of the decommissioning of combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which may start in the last quarter of the year, Philstar said in its report.

By the end of the third phase, 26,145 MILF combatants and 4,625 of their weapons would have been decommissioned and eventually return to normal life.

The remaining 14,000 MILF fighters would be decommissioned under phase 4 of the process.

The government aims to complete the process in 2025, the Philstar report also said.

Each of the decommissioned MILF combatants will receive P100,000 in transitional cash assistance from the government for their integration

into society, aside from livelihood projects and scholarship for their children.

In the Philstar report, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo said the Marcos administration is committed to complete the decommissioning process.

Lagdameo said the completion of the third phase signifies the strong partnership of the MILF and government to build a Bangsamoro that is ”self-governing, progressive and effective.”

“The national government maintains its dedicated support and commitment to the other aspects of the normalization program such as socioeconomic development, security, transitional justice and reconciliation and confidence-building measures, including amnesty,”.