INDANAN, SULU — Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. flew to this island-province on September 19 to lead the information and education campaign on the Transformation Program for Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members, their families and communities.

The IEC campaign series is part of the efforts of the Government of the Philippines (GPH), through the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), to ensure accurate information on the Transformation Program are disseminated to the combatants, their families and communities.

“Our visit is a great opportunity to share with you the steps taken by the Marcos Administration to further enhance peace, security and development here in Sulu,” Galvez told the MNLF members gathered here.

“Through our Transformation Program, we shall be carrying out various socio-economic interventions that aim to provide your members with knowledge, resources and livelihood skills that will enable you to uplift your way of life and earn sustainable income,” he added.

The Transformation Program is anchored on the provisions of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement signed between the GPH and the MNLF on September 2, 1996, which put an end to a decades-long armed conflict.

The MNLF Transformation Program aims to facilitate the transition of the MNLF members, especially those who were not integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the FPA, as well as their families into peaceful and productive civilians.

“This is part of our continuing dialogue with the MNLF on the Transformation Program especially on the security component,” explained Director Jana Jill Gallardo, head of the OPAPRU – MNLF Concerns Office (MCO).

“The IEC campaign aims to provide accurate and necessary information not only to the commanders but to combatants of the MNLF, to also address issues and concerns on the issue of firearms and other processes involved in the verification and profiling activities, and an opportunity for our peace partners, OPAPRU and MNLF to exchange ideas and information that will help enhance the MNLF Transformation Program,” Gallardo added.

The IEC campaign is in line with the celebration of 2022 National Peace Consciousness Month with the theme “Pagkakaisa at Paghilom: Isang Bansa Para sa Kapayapaan.”

The IEC drive also brought together the MNLF groups who were represented by Member of Parliament Albakil “Thong Jikiri”, who is also vice-Chairman for Military Affairs of the Three Island Provinces of the Jikiri-Sema Group and Ms Nur-Ainee Misuari Tan Lim, head of the MNLF Peace Coordinating Committee Secretariat of the Misuari Group.

“Even if we have differences of opinion, even if we have difference in tribes but we are united in the flag of Islam. OPAPRU has peace, reconciliation and unity, so we, as an organization, is focused on HULA (Land/Place), BANGSA (identity), and AGAMA (religion).” Tan-Lim told the MNLF members.

She also urged them to “hold fast” and continue to work together in preparation for the implementation of the MNLF Transformation Program, adding “[Under] the roof of God, we bind together and unify and never separate.”

In response, MP Jikiri said: “For 21 years the MNLF was divided. But I, together with my sister Atty Nur-Ainee, we bring with us the allegiance of our fathers and other elders who have sworn for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) people and our communities.”

At the same event Muslimin Sema, chairman of the MNLF Sema-Jikiri group, said: “We are happy that the central government has listened and recognized our problems, our demands. This is a victory of your battles through silencing all the guns for peace and progress of the entire Philippines.“

Sema noted that, “Peace is the key, to all the departments, not only of the Moro people but of the entire Filipino all over the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The development of the south will certainly contribute for the full development of Central and Northern Philippines.”

“Without peace and development in Mindanao, no progress will ever happen in the entire Philippines and that is why we believe we contribute, the Moro National Liberation Front and other revolutionary organizations here in Mindanao, together we contribute to the progress, peace and security,” he stressed.

In his solidarity message, MGen Ignatius Patrimonio, chief of the AFP’s 11th Infantry Division said: “We call for peace. We are here to pursue peaceful means and options to resolve this crisis. War and violence can never be the solution…You have the right to live in a safe and healthy environment.”

According to Galvez, “This is the reason why we are here – to again ask for the support of our MNLF brothers to maintain our earned dividends under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the MNLF.”

He gave the MNLF the assurance that “the Marcos Administration will continue to support the MNLF in your journey to the path of peace and development. We have seen your efforts to achieve this and you can be sure that we will stay behind you.”

The IEC campaign is part of the first phase of the implementation of the MNLF Transformation Program. Crucial information on the program will be cascaded to other MNLF communities in the province of Sulu. ###