MILF bans members from donning military uniforms, carrying fireams in public places

The Philippine Army welcomed on Friday the reported directive of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front prohibiting its fighters from donning military fatigue uniforms and carrying firearms in public places. In a statement, Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said such directive "advances the cause and spirit" of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.  

An article from the state-run Philippines News Agency on Thursday quoted MILF chief of staff Sammy Almanzur as saying the order was in reaction to reports that members of his group were “often seen roaming around” Shariff Aguak and Mamasapano towns in Maguindanao.

 

According to the article, the MILF members were also reportedly carrying firearms and wearing full military uniform with MILF patches and insignia.

 

Almanzur was also quoted in the article as saying that MILF members are only allowed to wear the uniforms when inside Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, and during special events the group organizes with the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

 

“Let the MILF members not misinterpret that the recent signing of the Bangsamoro framework agreement between the government and MILF also allows them to carry firearms in public,” Alamanzur said in the PNA article.

 

“Seeing MILF members in full uniform with firearms in public is not a healthy sign for the ongoing peace process,” he added.

 

On October 15, the Philippine government and the MILF signed the Framework Agreement, which is hoped to end the decades-old conflict in Mindanao. — Gian C. Geronimo/RSJ, GMA News