As the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf continues terror on what was once an architecture grandeur of the Moro people, Marawi residents continue to pay the highest price. Day after day, the poor goes poorer, hungry mouths go hungrier, and the wounded succumbs to death.
Another day passed, another life lost.
Time is running out.
That is why Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al-Hajj “Kagi” Murad Ebrahim can’t afford anymore collateral damage being done to his people. On a restless Friday evening, he made an urgent phone call to Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza asking if he can have an exclusive meeting with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Dureza, who was then at Noordwijk, Netherlands for talks with the National Democratic Front, immediately agreed to coordinate an emergency meeting with President Duterte.
On Saturday morning of the 27th, the peace secretary gives his go signal.
“Kagi Murad, okay on appointment: Monday, May 29, at Panacan Davao City Office of President Duterte. I am still in Europe but I will send representatives to the meeting,” Dureza replied via text message.
Upon meeting with the President, the MILF committed on assisting humanitarian action for residents who are either still trapped in the crossfire or staying in evacuation centers.
In an interview with Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC) Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, he pointed that the focus of the meeting above anything else was to rescue civilians trapped in Marawi. Jaafar also mentioned that the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) will be distributing relief goods to the conflict-affected citizens.
The Government extended their praises to MILF and its roster of peace partners.
“Congrats and thanks to MILF for partnering with the government in these trying times! Very well appreciated,” exclaimed Dureza.
“Thank you also Secretary for the thrust and confidence you and the President extended to us. Rest assured we will do our best,” Murad replied.
Since Monday this week, the two parties are now working together to address the humanitarian issues on the Marawi siege, enabling the prospect of peace. The implementing panels also agreed to utilize existing peace mechanisms, particularly the Joint Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) for the establishment of a peace corridor.
This gave birth to the Joint GPH-MILF Peace Corridor that will ensure delivery of humanitarian aid on top of the security of displaced residents in Marawi City.
Tonight, Filipinos can rest well knowing it has the support of our brothers and sisters in the MILF.
