AFP placed on red alert ahead of peace deal signing

MANILA, Philippines - Military forces in Central Mindanao have been placed on red alert in preparation for the signing of the final peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) tomorrow.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said their alert status was raised last Monday.

A red alert places all troops on standby and entails the cancellation of vacation leaves. The 6th Infantry Division oversees security operations in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, most of North Cotabato and Cotabato City.

“That is a national event (to be) witnessed by the international community. It is normal for the Armed Forces to declare red alert,” Gapuz said.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said they are not discounting the possibility of sabotage by groups opposed to the agreement.

Zagala, however, stressed their ground troops are prepared for any eventuality.

“We cannot discount the possibility of spoilers, that’s why we must remain alert and vigilant so that we can prevent any untoward incident,” Zagala said.

“There are many spoilers. There is the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters), there are those groups who will stand to lose a lot because of the normalization, so we are looking into all of that,” he added.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the MILF that has vowed to destroy the peace process.

Zagala said they have not monitored any concrete threat that could disrupt the signing ceremony.

“But we are abreast of the situation and we will continue to monitor,” he said.

About a thousand high-profile personalities are expected to witness the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government and the MILF at the Kalayaan Gardens in Malacañang.

Among the prominent personalities who will attend the event are President Aquino, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, and Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Abdul Ghafar Tengku Mohamed.

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) administrator Helen Clark will also witness the signing of the agreement.

“We are in total support (of the signing of the agreement). We believe that the solution to this long-drawn conflict is really a peaceful solution through the peace process,” Zagala said.

‘Like a commencement exercise’

Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the Malaysian prime minister will personally attend tomorrow’s historic signing of the final peace agreement.

Ferrer said the Malaysian facilitator will sign the agreement as witness.

“I hope it will not rain. Although it is a good insignia if there will be little drizzles. This (signing of CAB) is like a commencement exercise. We graduate from formal negotiations, then we will start in the implementation,” Ferrer said.

Ferrer described the peace deal with the MILF as the country’s “global contribution to the pursuit of peace.”

“Many other countries (that) face similar troubles are looking up to us to show the way or possible modalities by which they can also address their own domestic conflicts. Our experience, our mechanisms, our approaches have become a rich source of inspiration to these countries that remain challenged by different sources of domestic hostility,” she said.

Ferrer said the CAB is a political commitment of the President, who has the political will to fulfill it.

“This is a responsibility not only of the President, but also of the people and the MILF. I saw the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) deal, as a researcher. Then MNLF chairman Nur Misuari only has one engagement with Congress. Unlike in the peace process with the MILF, where all the non-government organizations (NGOs) are participating,” she said.

Ferrer said the signing of the CAB tomorrow will seal the permanent ceasefire between government troops and the MILF.

“One reason why we should celebrate is that we are sealing a permanent ceasefire. The important issue is transformation to pave the way for development. Children will now go back to school. Then there will be the transformation of the MILF from rebel against the government, from an armed group to a productive member of society,” Ferrer said.

Ferrer said the MILF is the biggest and most organized armed group in the country and sealing a permanent ceasefire with them is a very significant development for the country.

“They started getting strong in 1991. They have the principles to adhere on this. Let’s help them to hasten the process of their transformation,” she said.

Ferrer said the final peace agreement will empower the MILF as an entity with responsibility and accountability.

“We are clear in our agreement. This is empowerment. We are empowering the MILF and we are creating an entity for their development. But this is not patronage. Our talks are principled. We are principled. We are taking into account the principles, not traditional politics, to truly empower them with accountability,” Ferrer said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the signing of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF will “certainly” put pressure on other armed groups and everyone to look for solutions that work instead of perpetrating conflict.

“It puts pressure on us to deliver, but it puts pressure on other armed groups as well to work with government in partnership to look for solution that can work,” she said.

Deles said the international community was looking at peace processes, supporting the conclusion of real peace agreements and some judicial decisions that had been coming up or were coming up, “plus what is actually happening on the ground.” – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Aurea Calica, Jaime Laude, Roel Pareño, Pia Lee-Brago, Perseus Echeminada