Parang, Maguindanao (October 21, 2019) — One hundred fifty two members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front – Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF), 86 personnel of the Philippine National Police(PNP), and 75 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will participate in the 2nd Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) training that was formally commenced on Monday, October 21, at Camp Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in this town.
The JPSTs will provide security during the decommissioning of the MILF and tasked to assist in the documentation of private armies and other armed groups; reduction of loose firearms; maintain ceasefire and end outbreak of violence; and provide security personnel and activities related to peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
They will be assigned in different areas that were mutually agreed by the GPH and the MILF to support the peace and order and stability in the said areas.
Bangsamoro Government Environment Minister Abdulraof Macacua urged the people to support the sustainability of peace and order.
“Ang pagtitipon na ito ay nagpapatunay lamang na tunay na makapangyarihan ang tinatawag nating kapayapaan,” he said.
In the keynote address read by Abdulraof Macacua, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said “in our previous experience, we have to treat this transition test as another chapter of Bangsamoro struggle.”
“As warrior of peace, we are obliged to do our best in any task before us including attentive participation in this training, In Shaa Allah,” Ebrahim said.
“I look forward for the beneficial experience for our participants and I pray that our learning will help our people in preserving peace for the Bangsamoro,” he added.
John Christ Man-ampit, 26-year old, a resident of Carmen, North Cotabato and member of 5th Mechanised Armoured Division, said he is confident to train with the BIAF members and to support each other for the sake of peace inside Bangsamoro region.
He said the creation of the JPST and the training allow them to work together to prevent any form of terrorism in the region.
“Maganda talaga ito na daan tungo sa matagal na nating hinahangad kapayapaan,” Man-ampit added. (Bureau of Public Information)
