OSAP vows to continue 'peace caravans' despite MILF decommissioning suspension

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President said Monday that the peace caravan project in Bangsamoro would continue despite the suspension of the decommissioning of the remaining combatants and weapons of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In a press release, the OSAP emphasized that the project has proven to be very significant in sustaining peace efforts and providing the necessary services to Bangsamoro communities.

The OSAP expressed concern that postponing the decommissioning ''would unfairly affect the combatants who are eager to transition to civilian life and access related benefits.''

“It is unfair and unjust for those who are willing to undergo the decommissioning process, depriving them of their opportunity and right to be transformed into productive, peaceful citizens as envisioned in the CAB,” SAP Antonio Lagdameo Jr. said. 

The caravans deliver social protection services, livelihood support, health care, civil registration, skills training, and educational assistance, according to the OSAP. This was aimed at complementing the decommissioning process with tangible socioeconomic support.

The OSAP also relayed the message of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., affirming the commitment of the government that “no Filipino shall be left behind,” adding that government services and normalization efforts continue despite the suspension of decommissioning. 

The MILF had suspended the decommissioning process until the national government complies with the provisions of the Annex of Normalization, which is a component of the peace deal between the two parties in 2014. 

In a resolution by the central committee, the MILF stated that it would decommission ita remaining 14,000 forces and 2,450 weapons “only upon the substantial compliance by the government of the Philippines in other tracks of normalization, including the provision of socio-economic package as agreed by the GPH and the MILF peace implementing panels to the 26,145 combatants.” 

Malacañang ensured that it would discuss thoroughly with concerned parties the decision to halt the decommissioning process. —AOL, GMA Integrated News