Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada expressed concern over the alleged "cut" encountered by decommissioned combatants in their cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), wherein 50 percent of it is reportedly being taken by their commanders.

This was raised on Tuesday, February 20, during the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, and Reconciliation public hearing presided by Estrada, where he disclosed that former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) personally told him this practice in the presence of Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr.

"I’m quite worried 'pag kinuha ung kalahati ng brigade commanders (if half is being taken by brigade commanders). Baka ipambili ng armas. Parang gobyerno nagbabayad ng pambili ng armas ng MILF. (They might use it to buy firearms. It's like the government is funding the MILF's weaponry). And that is quite possible," Estrada said.

Engr. Mohajirin Ali, MILF Peace Implementing Panel Secretariat said that this is something that they are continuously validating since they are worried if ever there is such an arrangement. 

"Very clear sa decommissioning, lahat ng weapons, organizationally-owned. So hindi pwedeng pakikiaalaman ng commanders yung in-extend na intervention, especially yung cash (It's very clear in the decommissioning that all weapons are organizationally-owned. So the commanders cannot interfere with the interventions extended, especially cash)," he said.

"We would be very happy kung ma-provide kami ng detalye regarding this concern dahil definitely the leadership of MILF will not tolerate mga ganong practice, at masusubject sa disciplinary action yung commanders na ganon ang ginagawa (We would be very happy if we will get details regarding this concern because the leadership of the MILF does not tolerate this kind of practice, and the commanders involved in this would be subjected to disciplinary action)," he added.

Cesar Yano, Co-Chair of the Government Peace Implementing Panel said that the practice is real and he mentioned it to Minister Mohagner Iqbal who chairs the MILF Peace Implementing Panel who expressed awareness over the issue and stated it is being addressed by cascading it to the commanders.

"As to the progress, I really hope totally matanggal po ito (it's totally eradicated. But it's good binanggit niyo ito para ipu-push ko pa kay Minister Iqbal (that you mentioned this so I can nudge Minister Iqbal)," he added.

Estrada hopes that the issue will be investigated at the soonest possible time. He added that the details regarding the concern will be given to Galvez.

"This might affect the integrity and effectiveness of the decommissioning process. Kailangan nating makialam. Pera ng gobyerno ito. (We need to intervene. This is the government's money). We cannot turn a blind eye here," he said.

The hearing was a continuation of the public hearing held last Feb. 6 about the challenges encountered in the decommissioning process and other security measures involving MILF combatants, weapons, and ammunition.

Sen. Imee Marcos filed Senate Resolution No. 321 to conduct an investigation into the matter with "the end goal of accelerating the implementation of the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) to finally bring lasting peace."