MILF: We Also Dream for Peace

“Naparito kami upang ipahiwatig sa inyong lahat na tulad ninyo ang hangad din namin ay kapayapaan.” (We are here to tell everyone that we also dream for peace.)

Deputy Commander Bobby Amaikurut of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), representing the leadership of North Western Mindanao Front under Commander H. Abdullah ‘Bravo’ Macapaar, said these words as they attended for the first time the Joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) Meeting of Maigo, Lanao del Norte on September 6, 2018 at Sultan Ringia Memorial Hall, Mindanao State University- Maigo School of Arts and Trades.

“Huwag po tayo maniwala sa maling balita, naparito ang MILF sa Lanao del Norte para sa kapayapaan at Kaunlaran,” (Please do not believe the wrong news, MILF is here in Lanao del Norte for peace and progress) Amaikurut said as he also asked for support in achieving peace through voting ‘Yes’ during the upcoming Plebiscite on January 2019 concerning the inclusion of Six municipalities of Lanao del Norte in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Municipal Mayor Rafael C. Rizalda, the chairperson of MPOC, said “Let’s start here in Maigo the team-building effort for peace.”

“Maigo has always been a supporter of the enhancement of government programs on peace and order,” he added.

The MPOC meeting has been attended by the Armed Forces of the Philippines with LTC. Ronel R. Manalo, the commanding officer of the 5thMechanized Infantry Battalion, Philippine National Police, Religious Sectors and other Non-Government Organizations.

MSU- MSAT campus head Macabangkit P. Ati, DPA, said at the onset of the council meeting that “Peace and tranquillity is not a monopoly, it can happen when two or more sectors cooperate, talk, understand and support each other.” MSU-MSAT was the host of said meeting.

The matters of the said meeting were the reports on peace and order, the upcoming plebiscite of ‘Bangsamoro Organic Law’ all throughout the province of Lanao del Norte, barangay concerns, and the Friendship games to be participated by the Philippine Army together with the MILF.

The Municpality of Maigo has 13 barangays where one of it, according to the report, has been declared ‘Drug Free’ by PDEA. (PIA-LDN)