NZ, Britain express support for Philippine peace efforts with MILF

MANILA, Philippines - The governments of New Zealand and the United Kingdom yesterday expressed their commitment to support the peace efforts of the Philippine government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

UK Ambassador Stephen Lillie and New Zealand Ambassador Andrew Matheson reiterated their respective governments’ commitment to support the Philippine government’s peace efforts during a separate courtesy call paid to them by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles.

The governments of UK and New Zealand have been supporting the peace process in the Philippines through various peace initiatives particularly in Mindanao.

The British government, through its embassy in Manila, is providing assistance to government and civil society in their conflict prevention and peace building works through the Global Opportunities Fund-Engaging with the Islamic World Program (GOF-EIW).

Among these are capacity-building and infrastructure projects in Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

On the other hand, the New Zealand government has supported the Government of the Philippines-United Nations (GOP-UN) Act for peace program in Mindanao by granting financial aid for the implementation of projects in the Caraga region.

New Zealand also provided $200,000 worth of fund to the Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP), which are being implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency for the MILF-controlled community.

For her part, Deles said she is grateful for the support given by the UK and New Zealand in advancing the peace process.

Deles said the Philippine government is now preparing for the resumption of peace talks with the MILF, as well as with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).

She also expressed full support for the peace and development initiatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Gracing the third founding anniversary of the AFP’s National Development Support Command (Nadescom), Deles hailed the “Bayanihan sa Barangay” program of the unit.

“We are here to affirm our partnership and commitment to address the root of all armed conflicts,” she said.

Deles hailed the NADESCOM for its “fast and efficient action in building housing structures, bridges, school buildings, water systems, among others in depressed and conflict-affected areas.”

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin thanked Deles for supporting NADESCOM’s community projects.

Gazmin said NADESCOM has so far completed a total of 524 school buildings, 451 farm-to-market roads, 10 day care centers, 165 health centers, 155 rural electrification projects, 363 barangay water systems, five bridges and other infrastructure projects in conflict-affected villages in the country.