Camp Abubakar, former MILF stronghold, eyed as AFP ammo camp

A former main camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front now part of the Military's territory in Barira, Maguindanao is being considered for conversin into an ammunitions storage facility, the a military official said on Wednesday.

 

According to 603rd Brigade Commander Col. Arnel Dela Vega, Camp Abubakar now known as “Camp Iranun” is not only a sound choice but also a strategic one for the planned ammunitions camp.

 

“It’s the best option since the place has historical relevance for the MILF that until now it is a sentimental place, the home of former leader and founder Salamat Hashim is still preserved in thickly forested site inside the camp,” Dela Vega explained.

 

If the camp is converted into a storage facility then some 1,400 members of the Army, police and MILF combatants will be tasked to guard it.

 

Aside from being a storage facility, Camp Iranun is being eyed to be a training ground for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

 

But until the plan is approved, it will remain to be the 603rd Army Brigade headquarters.

 

“In the meantime, we are awaiting technical people to assess and determine what are other requirements needed in the establishment of a storage facility,” Dela Vega said.

 

For her part, GHP peace panel Chairperson Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in an interview with GMA's “Balitanghali” program on Wednesday that the decommissioning process is going smoothly.

 

“Gradual and paced ang process natin as we move along towards 2016 inaasahan naitn 100 percent decommissioning ang ating makakamit,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

 

In addition, the decommissioning body is expecting some 75 firearms from the MILF during the earlier part of February. —Ferdh Cabrera/NB, GMA News