LMT, IMT crafting GPH-MILF ceasefire mechanism in Sarangani

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 1, 2013) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon convened Monday (September 30) a joint meeting between the Local Monitoring Team (LMT) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to craft a GPH-MILF (Government of the Republic of the Philippines – Moro Islamic Liberation Front) ceasefire mechanism in his province.

Solon stressed the mechanism would define both parties’ roles in safeguarding the ceasefire and the peace process. Structures are existing, he said, but a clearly defined system on the ground has yet to be crafted.

While both the GPH and MILF are cautious on the peace process, Solon said, the mechanism of coordination referred to as Manual of Instruction (MOI) should be agreed upon and adopted by both local peace panels as implementing guidelines on the security aspect.

The MOI was seen to form part of the government’s partnership with the MILF in the peace agreement. “Let’s be dynamic and utilize existing means,” Solon said.

Also participating in the workshop were representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), IMT of Team Site 4, Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and other peace partners.

The AFP, on the other hand, reported Sarangani is generally peaceful as movements of the MILF have been properly coordinated to the military thru the group’s LMT.

On September 11, Solon led the signing of Manifesto of Commitment among key influential leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front, AFP and PNP that confirmed their unity towards a common fundamental commitment to promote the culture of peace in this part of Mindanao. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Call for peace draws MNLF and gov’t together in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 11, 2013) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) presides over the peace forum with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) key and influential leaders led by political director of the MNLF Central Committee Winnie Hadjirul (extreme right), MNLF spokesperson Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla (2^nd from right), and Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan of Maasim (4^th from right) held at the Kasfala Hall of the Capitol Compound Wednesday, September 11. Also in the forum were 1002nd Infantry Brigade officers led by Col. Marcos Norman Flores Jr., 27th Infantry Battalion, Philippine National Police in Sarangani and General Santos City, local commanders of MNLF and provincial officials of Sarangani. The group discussed issues and concerns affecting the ongoing peace process. (Aiza Cruz/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani LGU, MNLF sign Manifesto of Commitment for peace

ALABEL, Sarangani  (September 11, 2013) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) leads the signing of the Manifesto of Commitment Wednesday, September 11, among key influential leaders of the Moro National Liberation front (MNLF), Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) and  the Philippine National Police (PNP). The manifesto declares that the MNLF, AFP, PNP and the Local Government Unit of Sarangani are united in the common fundamental commitment to promote the culture of peace in this part of the country. Signing the manifesto are (seated from right) Wennie Hadjirul, political director of the MNLF Central Committee; Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesperson; Gov. Solon; Col. Marcos Norman Flores Jr., commander of 1002^nd Infantry Brigade; and Maasim Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)