By Richel V. Umel
Contributor
KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte ― Thirty-three former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) received Safe Conduct Passes (SCP) from the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) on Monday, Nov. 17, marking a significant step in the government’s peace-building efforts.
The passes were issued by the Local Amnesty Board of Cagayan de Oro at Camp Bilal in Sitio Kura-kura, Tamparan, Munai.
The distribution was witnessed by Musa Sanguila, regional coordinator of the United Religions Initiative, and Director Agusto Bruce Colao of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-10).
Member of Parliament Hadji Abdullah G. Macapaar, also known as ‘Kumander Bravo,’ urged the former combatants and base commanders present to claim their passes.
Earlier this year, the NAC announced it was pushing to streamline the amnesty process for political offenders. The agency encouraged eligible individuals to submit applications through their Local Amnesty Boards “as soon as possible to benefit from the government’s amnesty program.”
The NAC operates 20 Local Amnesty Boards nationwide, including offices in Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Jolo, Basilan, and key cities across the Visayas and Luzon.
Housing for peace
In a separate event supporting the normalization process, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) broke ground on a 100-unit housing project for the MILF community in Delabayan, Kauswagan, on the same day.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the ceremony was led by Macapaar, the commander of the MILF Northwestern Mindanao Front, alongside Barmm officials, the local government of Kauswagan, and the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
“Kailangan tayo’y magkakaisa at ipagpatuloy natin ang nakamtan na kapayapaan sa Lanao del Norte,” Macapaar said.
Despite the location falling outside the Barmm geopolitical territory, Macapaar expressed gratitude for the inclusion of his community.
“Ako’y nagpasalamat na kahit ang lalawigan ay nasa labas ng Barmm pero nabigyan ng housing project ang komunidad ng mga dating MILF combatants,” he said.
Restoring dignity
Engr. Kadil Sulaik Jr., project manager of the Special Development Fund (SDF) under the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, said the project directly supports the Normalization track.
The P400 million housing initiative covers six recognized MILF camps, funded under the 2023 and 2024 SDF. These include Camp Abubakar (Maguindanao del Norte), Camp Bushra Somiorang (Lanao del Sur), Camp Bilal (Lanao del Norte), Camp Rajamuda (North Cotabato), Camp Omar ibn al-Khattab (Maguindanao del Sur), and Camp Bad’r (Maguindanao del Sur).
“Ang proyekto na ito ay nagbubuo ng dignidad, seguridad, at bagong pag-asa mula sa ating mga kapatid na MILF,” Sulaik said.
He emphasized that safe shelter is vital for reintegration.
“Ang pagkakaroon ng ligtas na tahanan ay mahalaga sa kanilang reintegration at pagbabalik sa normal na pamumuhay. Ito ay kongkretong patunay na hindi sila pababayaan sa pamahalaan at partner institutions habang sila ay lumilipat mula sa armadong pakikibaka tungo sa isang mapayapang komunidad,” Sulaik added.
Sulaik noted that Delabayan was chosen for its historical significance.
It was a site of conflict in the early 1970s and the location of the “all-out war” declared by then-President Joseph Estrada on March 17, 2000, which displaced thousands.
“Ngayon nakabangon na sa bagong buhay at peaceful na ang buong Kauswagan where former combatants joined [the] ‘From Arms to Farms program’ crafted by the Armed Forces and sustained by Kauswagan Local Government Unit as a Foundation,” Sulaik said.
Camp transformation
Engr. Abdulmaomit Tomawis, district engineer for Lanao del Sur’s 2nd District and Camp Bilal coordinator, described the event as a showcase of Barmm’s camp transformation initiative in cooperation with the national government.
“The Barmm reaches out not only within its core but even outside Barmm where no one will be left behind,” Tomawis said.
Col. Bernardo Taqueban, deputy brigade commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, affirmed the military’s support.
“We commit peace and support the endeavor of the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development,” Taqueban said.
