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Southeast Asia
Joint army-MILF battalions to provide security for presidential visit
2013-02-10
A battalion from the Philippine armyÂ’s 6th Infantry Division and another battalion from the central command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will provide security during President AquinoÂ’s scheduled visit on Monday in the MILF stronghold of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, near its main camp, Darapanan.

Aquino is set to launch a program which “aims to uplift the health, education and livelihood conditions in MILF communities towards realizing long-term peace and development for Bangsamoro that will benefit all Filipinos.” The project, led by the Office of the President, is in partnership with the MILF.

The launch comes nearly four months after the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) which provides for the creation of a new autonomous political entity called “Bangsamoro” that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by 2016.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that both sides are trying to enhance their relationship. He said, “It’s a process of getting to know each other. And so far it’s been wonderful. They (MILF) also want to test if this will work. They also want to test how sincere we are.”

Col. Manolito Orense, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the Army and MILF are prepared for the president’s arrival. He said, “Basically our set-up is a joint effort. We have 11 key areas to monitor, critical or strategic that our counterparts also want to secure. We will have one squad from the 37th Infantry Battalion and one squad from the MILF. It’s one on one."

Gordon Zaipullah of the MILF said they will deploy forces around their bases as an added layer of protection not only for the president and his entourage but civilians as well.

“We will provide outer security since we are tasked on the external perimeter of the activity area,” he said.

A send-off program was held at the old capitol of Maguindanao in Sultan Kudarat town on Saturday, where a briefing was given to both sides. The ceremony was followed by a “boodle fight” where soldiers and rebels shared food and beverages laid down on banana leaves on a long table, the food eaten bare handed.

Sultan Kudarat mayor Datu Tucao Mastura said, “Imagine we were just dreaming this before. A few years ago, these two opposing groups were fighting to kill each other. Now they fight for a noble cause for the majority. I am so elated with the flow of events where peace is real now."
Posted by:ryuge

#1  "We will have one squad from the 37th Infantry Battalion and one squad from the MILF. ItÂ’s one on one."

....too many jokes...must control.....myself.....
Posted by: Warthog   2013-02-10 20:54  

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