Philippine Muslim rebels hand over weapons to Turkey-led decommissioning body

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines - Agence France-Presse

Philippine President Benigno Aquino (C) looks at weapons next to Al-haj Murad Ebrahim (2nd L), chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), during the Ceremonial Turnover of Weapons and Decommissioning of MILF Combatants at the old capitol in Simuay town of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao province, southern Philippines June 16, 2015. Reuters Photo

The Philippines’ largest rebel group retired nearly 150 guerillas and handed over 75 arms to a decommissioning body headed by Turkish Ambassador Haydar Berk in order to encourage parliament to pass a proposed law giving minority Muslims self-rule. 

President Benigno Aquino visited the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to witness the weapons handover, the first concrete action by the organization to abandon a decades-old rebellion that has claimed more than 100,000 lives.

Aquino and senior MILF leaders both said the largely symbolic activity was intended to spur parliament to pass a delayed proposed law giving Muslims self-rule in the largely Catholic nation’s south under the terms of a 2014 peace treaty.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions we have made so far in more than 40 years of struggle,” chief MILF peace negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal said in a speech.

“We want to show the world that the MILF will always comply with its obligations set forth in the signed agreement,” Iqbal added.

Aquino, who ends his six-year term in a year’s time, wants the Muslim self-rule bill to be passed soon, fearing that his successor may not pursue the peace initiative.

“Let us show them that we are worthy of their trust,” Aquino said in his speech.

Speaking to CNN, Berk, who is also the chairperson of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), complimented both parties of the conflict. 

“We are proud to be part of this historic, courageous peace process. I have no doubt that not only the present generation but future generations will admire your visionary statesmanship,” he said.
 
Parliament failed to pass the bill before it went into recess last week amid a public outcry over the killing of 44 police commandos by MILF rebels and other armed groups on the southern island of Mindanao in January.
 
The police officers were ambushed after they passed through MILF-influenced areas following a raid that killed Zulkifli bin Hir, a Malaysian militant and one of the most-wanted "terrorists" sought by the United States.
 
Work on the Muslim self-rule bill is expected to continue when parliament resumes on July 27, but congressional leaders have said it is unlikely to be passed before October.
 
The 75 MILF firearms, including 24 weapons such as mortars and machine guns, were handed over to an independent decommissioning body headed by Turkey and also comprising members from Norway and Brunei.
 
The haul is believed by Filipino police to comprise just a tiny fraction of the arsenal of the 10,000-member MILF.
 
Under the peace deal, 30 percent of MILF combatants and weapons will be decommissioned once parliament passes the Muslim self-rule law.
 
The weapons will be stored in a secure area controlled by the decommissioning body.
 
Another 35 percent will follow after the law is ratified in a regional plebiscite, while the remainder will be handed over once the regional government is established and its leaders elected in May next year.
 
The 145 guerrillas retired on June 16 will return to civilian life and receive assistance from the government, peace negotiators said.