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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider OPAPRU won't tolerate anomaly in cash aid distribution for ex-MILF fighters -- Galvez

OPAPRU won't tolerate anomaly in cash aid distribution for ex-MILF fighters -- Galvez

Published Feb 21, 2024 07:09 am

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) said on Tuesday, Feb. 20, that it will not condone any anomaly in the implementation of the distribution of cash assistance for former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"This government shall not tolerate any act of corruption or irregular transactions, moreso those that undermine the well-being of our MILF brothers and sisters," OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a statement.

The peace adviser made the remark after three decommissioned MILF combatants claimed during a Senate hearing on the decommissioning process of MILF fighters that some of the commanders were taking "cut" in the cash assistance being provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the rebel-returnees.

The decommissioning process is among the key provisions of the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the peace agreement forged between the government and MILF in 2014, which aims to help former MILF combatants make the successful transition to civilian life through socio-economic interventions such as cash and livelihood assistance among others.

The decommissioning process is being handled by the Independent Decommissioning Body, one of the mechanisms created by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF as part of the Annex on Normalization of the CAB. 

It is composed of representatives from the Governments of Turkey, Norway, Kingdom of Brunei, as well as local experts nominated by the GPH and MILF peace implementing panels. 

Galvez advised the complainants to submit an affidavit to the Senate to formalize their allegations and state their specific claims, which will serve as basis for the conduct of a formal investigation into the matter.

"Rest assured that this isolated incident will be thoroughly investigated, and will be brought to the attention of the MILF leadership," Galvez noted.

To date, a total of 26,132 MILF combatants and 4,625 firearms have been decommissioned from 2015 to 2023 under phases one to three of the program.

The first phase of decommissioning was held in 2015 wherein 145 MILF members and 75 of their weapons were decommissioned. The second phase was held in 2019 which saw the decommissioning of 12,000 MILF-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) members and 2,100 of their weapons. The third phase involved the decommissioning of 13,987 MILF-BIAF members and 2,450 of their weapons.

The remaining MILF combatants and their weapons are set to be decommissioned during the fourth and final phase in 2025.

Read related story: Jinggoy alarmed by alleged 'cut' in rebel returnees' cash assistance

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OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez decommissioning MILF
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