MILF men to secure ceasefire monitors

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will serve as security personnel of the international monitoring team (IMT) that oversees the ceasefire between the rebel group and the government.

In a statement on the MILF website (luwaran.net), Mohagher Iqbal, who chairs the front’s peace negotiating panel, said the appointment took effect last April 1.

Iqbal said the security personnel, who are serving on a rotation basis, were deployed to the IMT headquarters in Cotabato City as well as the team’s sites in the cities of Iligan, Zamboanga, and General Santos.

He said the 20 MILF personnel were ordered to faithfully observe all protocols and discipline in discharging their duties related to the peace process.

“We must afford the IMT with the most profound courtesy and respect for its mission is considered diplomatic and constituting international relations, hence its personnel must be treated as diplomats,” Iqbal said.

The deployment of security personnel to the IMT is in line with the Terms of Reference signed by the MILF and the government in Malaysia last December. 

Both sides agreed to provide security personnel to accompany the IMT in doing its responsibilities, especially in its fieldwork.

Comprising the IMT are representatives of Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan.

Indonesia and Qatar were invited to join the team but have yet to decide on the matter. The MILF earlier said Norway might join the IMT “subject to certain conditions.” – Alexis Romero