BGC, Cotabato City — The Independent Decommissioning Body of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) paid a courtesy visit to Minister Engr. Aida Silongan, Chairman – Designate of the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC) in the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Office, Bangsamoro Government Center, in this city.

IDB personnel present in the meeting was Vice Chair William Hovland, Outgoing CoS Kevin Llewellyn, Incoming CoS Tom Hjertholm, Deputy CoS Ltcol Hairin Jafar, VMAT Commander Huseyin Kara, and other members.

On January 26, 2023, the meeting aimed to update Minister Silongan about the IDB activities, such as the phases of decommissioning process of MILF, proposed programs, the presence of TFDCC in the decommissioning phases, and coordination matters.

The IDB shared an update to Minister that 12, 699 combatants decommissioned in Phase 3 with 90% accomplishments and other updates. They will strengthen the process and avoid issues.

Minister Silongan said that as the new Chairman – Designate of TFDCC, she pursued to ensure that the combatants decommissioned will have their benefits and unify work for the betterment of combatants.

Also, Bangsamoro Director-General Abdulrakman Asim hoped that issues would be addressed to avoid problems that might arise in the future.

The IDB ensured that the decommissioning body would have good coordination, professionalism and a working environment with TFDCC, continue the decommissioning phase 3, and consult with BIAF commanders for a smooth transition of combatants to peaceful, productive, and becoming civilians leaving their guerilla identity.

The International Decommissioning Body is a third-party body designated by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to oversee the decommissioning of the latter. It is a key component of the normalization structure following the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. It comprises international experts from Norway, Turkey, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, and other local experts from GPH.

The decommissioning process is the first step in enabling the MILF combatants to transition from conflict to peaceful living. They will receive transitional cash assistance from DSWD as part of their transformation to civilian and productive lives.

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[Information and Communication]