WestMinCom, OPAMA strengthen collaboration to expedite peace process with MNLF

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 25, 2021) - The Western Mindanao Command hosted the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign held at the Eisenhower Hall, Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city on Wednesday, Ju

The said activity was spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs (OPAMA) represented by Undersecretary Arthur Tabaquero,

Chairman, Security Sub-Committee; Undersecretary Cesar Yano, Chairman, Socio-Economic Sub-Committee; and Assistant Secretary Andres Aguinaldo,

Jr., Chairman, Community Healing and Reconciliation Sub-Committee.

The purpose of the activity was to brief the members of the WestMinCom on the updates of the engagement of the government with MNLF groups and to formulate a transformation program for the ex-militants to expedite the peace process with the peace-inclined group.

Also present during the activity were Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., WestMinCom Commander; Brig. Gen. Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, Chief of the AFP

Peace and Development Office; Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Commander, Joint Task Force Basilan; and Col. Randolph Rojas, Commander, Joint Task Force Zamboanga.

Other participants, including the commanders of the joint task forces and brigades under WestMinCom as well as the representatives from the PNP, joined through video teleconferencing (VTC) 

Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. expressed his gratitude to the OPAMA for this initiative.

“This campaign proposes the steps we must undertake as we endeavor to further enhance the security posture here in Mindanao and accommodate the former Moro National Liberation Front combatants to return into the mainstream society,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. 

Meanwhile, Director Jana Jill Gallardo, Head, GPH Secretariat, presented the updates on the GPH-MNLF Peace Process.

Also discussed during the open forum was the profiling of the MNLF members who will benefit from the transformation program.                          

According to Usec Tabaquero, the profiling is quite challenging hence the support from the military and the PNP is imperative.

“The former rebels must be monitored for the peace efforts to succeed,” USec Tabaquero stated.

Brig. Gen. Felicidario III said that all those who will be reintegrated into mainstream society will receive economic package from the GPH. 

Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr., the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity and Chair of the GPH Coordinating Committee for Misuari Group, through USec Yano, extended his gratitude to Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. and to all the participants for taking time to attend the activity.

“This activity has served as a venue not only to be updated on the latest development on the peace process but also to exchange ideas based on our personal experiences on the ground,” said Sec. Galvez, Jr.

The activity culminated around noon of the same day.(By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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