By Francis Wakefield
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said the meeting between Lanao del Norte 2nd District Congressman Abdullah 'Bobby' Dimakuta Dimaporo and Hadji Abdullah G. Makapaar alias Commander Bravo, commander of the North Western Mindanao Front of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in Lanao del Norte on Sunday (January 13) was a success.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. (OPAPP FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement, Galvez said that, following their meeting, both sides have agreed to work collectively for peace and bring development in the area.
"As part of our mandate to bring peace by building relationships, I am happy to announce the successful meeting between Lanao del Norte 2nd District Congressman Abdullah 'Bobby' Dimakuta Dimaporo and Hadji Abdullah G. Makapaar a.k.a Commander Bravo, commander of the North Western Mindanao Front of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Camp Bilal in the town of Munai in Lanao del Norte on January 13, 2018," Galvez said.
"It is worth noting that this is the first time both parties have met after four long decades," he added.
Galvez, at the same time, said that he was not surprised that Congressman Dimaporo and Commander Bravo shared the same passion to bring peace and development in the area since both sides were blood-related.
He said, during the meeting, they talked about the history of their family, as both of their fathers joined forces and fought the invading Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
"Both men have agreed to set aside their political differences in preparation for the peaceful conduct of the upcoming plebiscites for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) scheduled on January 21 and February 6, 2019," Galvez said.
Galvez said the historic meeting was also joined by Brigadier General Thomas Sedano Jr., commander 2nd Mechanized Brigade, and Butch Malang, chairperson of the MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, as the military and the MILF have strengthened their coordination under the existing peace mechanisms.