Army, MILF leaders hold dialogue for peaceful BARMM polls
COTABATO CITY — Field commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao del Sur assured the military on Thursday that they will abide by the Bangsamoro peace process mechanisms for the conduct of the first parliamentary elections in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Sept. 14.
Leaders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the MILF’s military arm, assured Brig. Gen. Omar Orozco, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, that the BIAF will help ensure the peaceful, orderly, and credible conduct of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) in their areas of operation.
Orozco initiated the dialogue in connection with the upcoming BPE to provide an avenue to strengthen coordination and foster a peaceful, orderly, and secure environment throughout the electoral period.
It was held through Lt. Col. Raul Escat, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, in the town of Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur.
Thong Osman, focal person of the BIAF 108th Base Command, said the MILF central committee directive is clear: to abide by the Bangsamoro peace mechanisms and help in the peaceful conduct of the historic elections.
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Orozco and Escat met with 18 MILF field commanders, including representatives from the MILF’s Ad Hoc Joint Action Group.
Osman said there is no reason for them to disrupt the balloting since its outcome will benefit them and their families.
“We are a peace-loving Bangsamoro, we will not disrupt the election process because our future is at stake here,” he said in the vernacular.
Orozco lauded the MILF-BIAF leaders for coming over and assuring the government of the conduct of peaceful elections in the area.
“We appreciate you for coming over, an indication you, like us, want peace in this area,” Orozco said.
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He told the MILF commanders that sustaining peace and security, addressing community concerns, preventing local conflicts, and strengthening cooperation among stakeholders will benefit the Bangsamoro more than anyone.
“This involves maintaining open lines of communication with MILF leaders and other peace partners, recognizing their significant role in promoting stability and encouraging their respective communities to contribute to a peaceful and orderly electoral process,” he added.
Orozco said the activity is part of the brigade’s commitment to a peace-centered and stakeholder-driven approach in maintaining peace and security within its area of operations.
The 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade’s area of operations includes Paglat, Sultan sa Barongis, SK Pendatun, Datu Paglas and Buluan, all in Maguindanao del Sur. /mcm
