MILF to lay down arms only after Bangsamoro govt in place

December 26, 2012 7:52am

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front will lay down its arms only after the Bansamoro government is in place, its chairman said in an article posted on a Malaysian news site Tuesday.

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad told Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency the issue of decommisioning MILF fighters' firearms is still under discussion with the Philippine government.

In the Bernama interview posted on Malaysia's The Star, Murad also said the decommissioning of firearms should also involve government militias as well.

"They (militia) should also be subjected to decommissioning (of firearms)," he said.

Government and MILF negotiators signed last October 15 a framework peace agreement that promises to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a Bangsamoro political entity.

On the other hand, Murad said the relevant parties need to create the proper situation on the ground first, before starting the decommissioning of firearms.

He said Mindanao residents would not need to carry firearms if there was prevailing peace and security on the ground.

Also, Murad said he expected government forces to evenly distribute its soldiers throughout the country as provided by the framework agreement, and reduce the number of personnel stationed in Mindanao. — LBG, GMA News