CAMP BILAL, MUNAI, LANAO DEL NORTE—Upon seeing each other, the two men hugged tightly like blood brothers.

One is a retired military general who has fought countless wars; the other is a grizzled warrior who, for decades, championed his people’s right to self-determination. Both are fighters – and leaders – in the truest sense.

At first glance, they seem to be poles apart. However, they are bound by a common vision: to bring greater peace, progress and stability to the Bangsamoro. And it is this bond that has brought them closer than ever.

On December 20, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., and Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Abdullah Macapaar, who is famously known for his nom de guerre, “Commander Bravo,” stood shoulder to shoulder in this sprawling camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Galvez and Macapaar, who were once on opposite sides of the battlefield, dug their shovels into the soil, as they led the groundbreaking ceremony for a housing and resettlement project that would benefit former MILF combatants and their families.

The long-awaited housing project is part of the Camps Transformation Plan (CTP) that aims to transform six government-recognized former MILF camps into zones of peace and development.

The project will be funded under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU)’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program.

The CTP is a major aspect of the Normalization Program for decommissioned MILF combatants that seeks to uplift their economic well-being by providing them access to much-needed government services and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Dream come true

“This housing project is a key component and a realization of our comprehensive plan to transform former MILF camps into peaceful, productive and resilient communities. From Camp Bilal, to Bilal community, to Bilal villages,” Galvez said in his keynote address at the ceremony.

“Isa ito sa mga ginagawa natin [para] sa mga decommissioned combatants. Isa sa mga programa ng gobyerno ay mabigyan kayo ng magandang bahay kasi ang ating mahal na Presidente, he is planning to build millions of housing projects for Filipinos,” he added.

According to Galvez, he had met with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governors and mayors and discussed the possibility of them taking the lead in the project’s implementation.

“Nag-usap-usap na kami ng mga mayor at ng mga governor na kung pwede magkaroon din tayo ng localized housing na pwede natin na ibigay ‘yung pondo doon sa [local government units],” he bared.

“Sila na po ang magpagawa ng mga housing depende po sa gusto ng mga combatants [which would] be implemented by the National Housing Authority (NHA),” Galvez added, as he explained the importance of responding to the specific needs of the beneficiaries.

Commitment to peace

In response, Macapaar expressed his gratitude to everyone who are helping turn Camp Bilal into a show window of peace and development not only in the Bangsamoro but throughout Mindanao and the rest of the country.

“In behalf of the members of the parliament and in behalf of the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), kami ay nagpapasalamat kay Allah, sa ating gobyerno, sa aming mahal na secretary, mahal na gobernadora…” he said.

“…sa ating mga Armed Forces, local government, provincial government, national government dahil hindi po namin mararating itong ganitong occasion na binibigyan po kami ng mga housing para sa ating mga decommissioned combatant,” Macapaar added.

“Hindi po namin ito mababayaran. Kami po ay taos-pusong susuporta sa programa ng ating gobyerno, sa programa ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government at kay Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim,” he continued.

“Kami po ay patuloy na susuporta dito sa Lanao del Norte para ma-maintain natin ang peace,” Macapaar stressed, as he vowed to help push forward the Marcos administration peace agenda in the Bangsamoro.

Expression of gratitude

For her part, Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo thanked the OPAPRU and Galvez for spearheading the housing and resettlement project, which is expected to have a major impact on the lives of the combatants.

“If not for this person, kung wala po itong taong ito, itong Camp Bilal will not come into reality as Bilal community. Honorable Secretary Carlito Galvez, ito po’y hindi namin makakalimutan,” Dimaporo said.

“Once again, not only in behalf of the people in this community, [but also] in behalf of the officials and the people of Lanao del Norte, kami po’y taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil natupad na rin ang pangarap ng ating mahal na Member of Parliament Bravo,” she added.

Dimaporo shared that she had an initial discussion with Macapaar after the Joint Council Meeting at the provincial capitol wherein they discussed ways on how to boost the livelihood of the former combatants.

“I cannot promise you heaven and earth. But kung ano man po ang makakaya ko na itulong dito sa Bilal community lalong-lalo na sa livelihood, [gagawin ko],” said the governor who also took part in the housing project’s groundbreaking.

A promising project

Engr. Al-Khwarizmi Indanan, National Housing Authority (NHA) Regional Office IX and BARMM Manager, emphasized that the housing project is a fulfillment of the commitments made by the government under signed peace agreements.

“This groundbreaking event serves to honor the past as we embrace the future. This project promises to showcase the whole-of-nation approach in building communities by [sending] a first strong impression…for the delivery of what has been promised,” Indanan said.

According to the NHA official, the MILF housing project is similar to the project immediately undertaken by the agency in the aftermath of the Zamboanga siege of 2013 and the Marawi crisis of 2017.

“Today, we begin to lay the symbolic cornerstone of rebuilding a community which endured decades of neglect,” Indanan said.

Foe turned ally

Meanwhile, the peace adviser highlighted the key role that Macapaar has played in the amazing transformation that is taking place not only in Camp Bilal but also across the Bangsamoro, particularly the major improvements in the area’s infrastructure.

But what is even more remarkable, he noted, is the continuing evolution of the former MILF commander as a civil servant who has devoted his time to improving the lives of his comrades and their families.

“Si Commander Bravo [noon] ay may Magnum 44. Nakikita ko sa kanya ‘yung ‘wild, wild west.’ Pero ngayon, nakikita natin siya na nagpupunta na ng Senado, pupunta kay [Armed Forces of the Philippines] Chief-of-Staff na walang baril,” Galvez shared.

“Meaning nakikita natin ‘yung complete transformation ng ating Commander…Nakikita natin na napakasipag niya na binubungkal ang lupa,” he said, lauding Macapaar for venturing into farming.

“Yung transformation po na iyon, naantig ang puso ko. There will always be a chance for peace. Basically, ‘yun po ang foundation ng progress. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating minamahal na MP Bravo for that complete transformation, Galvez remarked.###