All MILF combatants will have been decommissioned by 2024 - Galvez

The decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members is set to be finished by 2024, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said on Wednesday.

Over 15,000 MILF combatants will be decommissioned in 2023 and 2024, OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez said at a Senate budget hearing.

“The remaining 15,155 will be decommissioned in 2023 and 2024 to complete the targeted 40,000 MILF combatants,” he said.

At least 5,500 combatants are scheduled to be decommissioned under phase 3 until the end of this year.

According to Galvez, a total of 19,345 MILF combatants as well as 2,175 weapons have already been decommissioned. 

The decommissioning of combatants is an integral part of the normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the government and MILF in 2014.

This program aims to help former combatants make the transition to civilian life.

The OPAPRU has a proposed budget of P1.89 billion under the National Expenditure Program for 2023. — VBL, GMA News