Colombia-like stipend system eyed for decommissioned MILF members

MANILA, Philippines — The government is reassessing its socioeconomic assistance package for members of the decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as it considers a monthly stipend system similar to Colombia’s peace framework, Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento said yesterday.

In an interview with The STAR on the sidelines of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation University Tour at the Ateneo de Manila University, Sarmiento said a majority of the MILF members are between 50 and 65 years old.

He said providing these combatants with government-subsidized technical-vocational training is impractical.

To address the issue, the government peace implementing panel is exploring a more flexible, conditional subsistence allowance or stipend system in coordination with social welfare agencies.

Sarmiento said that current socioeconomic packages are being reviewed by the panel to ensure that support for former fighters is sustained as the normalization process moves forward under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

He said this move is among projects being done by the government in preparation for the peace talks with the MILF in Kuala Lumpur next month.