About 50 children, who were previously engaged directly or indirectly in armed confrontations, were released by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in a symbolic turn-over ceremony on Sunday, February 19.
The ceremony was held with representatives of the government and UNICEF in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
The freed children had been acting as couriers and support staff to their fathers and relatives who are members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of the MILF.
Witnessing the ceremony were: Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza; Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief; Maj. Gen. Zamrose, Head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team; and some local officials of Mindanao.
UNICEF was said to have facilitated the event, together with MILF Vice Chairman Gadzali Jaafar, along with the different Base Commanders of the BIAF.
Jaafar said that the MILF is doing this turn-over to show its sincerity in supporting peace process and wants the next generation to benefit from today's peace efforts. Jafaar was representing MILF Chairman Al Hadj Murad Ibrahim.
"We need to unite for a better tomorrow because we believe that there is a better tomorrow," said Jaafar.
On behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte, Dureza commended the efforts of the MILF, saying "the government is happy that the endeavor has finally come to reality."
Dureza said he will seek out assistance from the other secretaries on providing support to the children to improve their social well-being.
UNICEF country representative Lotta Sylwander said the ceremony was a historical event since the BIAF is the first and only armed group in the world that successfully turned over children who were involved directly or indirectly in armed engagements.
The UNICEF revealed that 60 percent of the children in their list are boys, while 40 percent are girls.
Based on UNICEF's statistical data, the initial 50 is the first batch of the children out of the 1,858 yet to be released.
Next batches of children are expected to be turned over in the coming days once the parental consent will have been secured.
Source: InterAksyon
Images: Sun Star | Manila Bulletin
Share It To Your Friends!
