Photo by Faisal Camsa/BIO
COTABATO CITY—Committing to the final phase of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioning process was the key focus during Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Suat Akgün’s visit with BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim on August 4 at the Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC) in this city.
The Chief Minister warmly received Ambassador Akgün, who chairs the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), on Friday morning and discussed the successful completion of the third phase of MILF combatant decommissioning on Thursday, August 3.
The IDB, a joint initiative of the Philippine Government (GPH) and MILF, oversees the process of decommissioning MILF forces and weapons—a crucial part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) normalization framework.
“We heard a lot of encouragement messages from both sides (referring to GPH and MILF panels) during the decommissioning process, it was wonderful to hear [them],” Ambassador Akgün said.
He also expressed his optimism about the positive progress that the peace process is bringing to the region.
“There’s also a good momentum that processes are going on, and I am pretty sure that the people of Bangsamoro are also feeling the same positive development for a peaceful and stable future and we are just wishful for the good of these processes,” he added.
Drawing on his expertise in the GPH-MILF peace process, Ambassador Akgün assured that the IDB will impartially, integrally, and confidentially oversee the decommissioning process.
Meanwhile, Ebrahim expressed gratitude for the delegation’s visit and their commitment to addressing future decommissioning concerns.
“Everything is indeed, a process. What I see as a possible challenge is, there is a new composition of the GPH panel in the negotiation, and the facilitator is also new,” he said.
“For the next schedule of the 4th Phase of the decommissioning process and other concerns, it would be both panels to decide it but before our panel goes to Malaysia for the meeting, our Central Committee will convene first to discuss the possible issues to be undertaken,” Ebrahim explained, expressing hope for progress this year.
The Government of the Day’s decommissioning efforts aligns with Chief Minister Ebrahim’s 12-point enhanced priority agenda. This agenda seeks to bolster peace, justice, and security across the BARMM through closer coordination and proactive collaboration with law enforcement agencies, development partners, and relevant stakeholders.
Friday’s meeting welcomed IDB Board members, including Vice Chairman William Hovland, International Expert from Brunei Haji Azlan Haji Abdul Ghani, and IDB Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm, among others. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
