By Francis Wakefield
The Department of National Defense (DND Friday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on Thursday.
In a statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they are optimistic that the landmark legislation will usher in a new era of peace in Mindanao.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (photo courtesy of the Office of the Secretary of National Defense)
"We now begin the very important step of implementing the provisions of the new law, including the decommissioning of MILF fighters, and the possible integration of qualified individuals to the AFP and PNP," Lorenzana said.
"The DND is ready to assist our fellow Filipinos in the Bangsamoro to start their lives anew, heal the wounds of conflict, and end our people's divisiveness after decades of fighting," he added.
Lorenzana said with the expected development of commerce, trade, and industry in the region, and increased delivery of government services to communities, he is confident that the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism, such as poverty, lack of education, and social injustice will be adequately addressed.
"I now call on the remaining groups still fighting the government to follow the path of peace just like the MILF and MNLF.," Lorenzana said.
"Through our localized peace efforts, we remain committed to achieve peace, even with members of the Communist Terrorist Group, and pursue the peace agenda of our President who is walking the extra mile to unite the people as one nation," he added.
The defense secretary said thousands of former communist rebels have returned to their families to live their lives in peace with the help of government programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
Lorenzana said together with their brothers and sisters in the Bangsamoro, "We will show the world that violence and terror do not have a place in our communities, and as Filipinos we can work together to achieve just and lasting peace."
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (photo courtesy of the Office of the Secretary of National Defense)
"We now begin the very important step of implementing the provisions of the new law, including the decommissioning of MILF fighters, and the possible integration of qualified individuals to the AFP and PNP," Lorenzana said.
"The DND is ready to assist our fellow Filipinos in the Bangsamoro to start their lives anew, heal the wounds of conflict, and end our people's divisiveness after decades of fighting," he added.
Lorenzana said with the expected development of commerce, trade, and industry in the region, and increased delivery of government services to communities, he is confident that the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism, such as poverty, lack of education, and social injustice will be adequately addressed.
"I now call on the remaining groups still fighting the government to follow the path of peace just like the MILF and MNLF.," Lorenzana said.
"Through our localized peace efforts, we remain committed to achieve peace, even with members of the Communist Terrorist Group, and pursue the peace agenda of our President who is walking the extra mile to unite the people as one nation," he added.
The defense secretary said thousands of former communist rebels have returned to their families to live their lives in peace with the help of government programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
Lorenzana said together with their brothers and sisters in the Bangsamoro, "We will show the world that violence and terror do not have a place in our communities, and as Filipinos we can work together to achieve just and lasting peace."