DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO — A delegation from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) led by Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr.  joined members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in an Iftar here on Friday at the MNLF’s Camp Ibrahim Sema.

The OPAPRU’s visit to the camp is part of the agency’s confidence-building measures to foster unity and support the efforts towards healing and reconciliation in MNLF communities.

The Iftar, or the breaking of the fast during the holy month of Ramadan, was participated in by around 350 MNLF leaders and members.

“This visit is very historic [as it was] done in the Holy Month of Ramadan. It only shows that our partnership, our working together is taken more serious[ly] and more sincere because no less than you provided the food for the iftar…These are the brothers, marami pa sila nito, marami itong kasama sa peace process,” said Datu Muslimin Sema, chairman of the MNLF Central Committee, in his solidarity message.

Chairman Sema added, “The efforts of the Secretary being here is beyond imagination…that he has to do more, hindi lang sa provision of materials but the pagpapanumbalik ng pagakakatiwalaan natin lahat dito. We welcome you here… I cannot say anything more but thank you, your presence here is more than anything and this is going into history that Camp Ibrahim Sema has hosted a dinner…”

Galvez, for his part, said, “Ang aming pagpunta dito sa inyong komunidad ay bahagi ng pakikiisa namin sa inyo ngayong buwan ng Ramadhan at ito rin ay bilang suporta sa mga programa sa ilalim ng Confidence-Building at Community Healing and Reconciliation.”

“Kasalukuyang binubuo ng Gobyerno at ng Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) sa ilalim ng Coordination Committee ang mga program ukol nito,” he added, referring to the various initiatives that are being developed by the GPH-MNLF Coordinating Committee under the MNLF Transformation Program.

Galvez said it was his first time to visit the community, as he thanked the MNLF for the warm reception his delegation received.

The peace adviser gave the assurance that the national government remains steadfast in fulfilling its commitments under all signed peace agreements, and will continue to help uplift the lives of the MNLF.###