“During [the third phase of the] decommissioning process, IDB and other normalization mechanisms or units will ensure compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols,” he said. The process involved the transition of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) to a peaceful civilian life, including their disarming. Involving 12,000 MILF combatants, at least 2,100 assorted weapons and more than 500 ammunition, it ended in March 2020. So far, 12,000 of the 40,000 MILF members have been processed, he said during the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process budget hearing at the Senate. He added that 14,000 MILF combatants were supposed to have been decommissioned in 2020 and another 14,000 in 2022.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 08, 2021 03:08 UTC