The MORO combatants received farm animals and tools from the government.
MORO COMBATANTS – The government gave farm animals and tools to 127 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants.
Based on a recent news report in Inquirer, the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) in Camp Darapanan gave 127 MILF members farm animals and tools.
One of them, 56-year-old Jacob Palao, expressed that it has crossed his mind but he did not expect it to happen soon.
According to him, he never expect that “carrying guns in the name of the struggle” would come to an end.
Based on the report, Palao, a guerrilla who fights with the MILF combatants for three days every week and uses the remaining days for farming, was in tears when he expressed that he “will be using plows and carabaos” as he farms.
He said that he can now spend a peaceful life together with his family which is in contrary to his life before wherein there is always doubt if he can come home alive or not.
Palao, whose rifle was one of those that were turned over to the panel monitoring the MILF members’ transitions, also expressed his hope that he can send his kids to school through farming.
According to the news report, the said guerrilla has engaged his life in combat for several years until in 2014, the MILF and the government have come up on a peace agreement.
The government has given away 103 carabaos, goats, 83 cattle head, corn seeds, rice, fruit and rubber seedlings, and fertilizers to the MILF members.
Based on the report, Ranibai Dilangalen, the Agriculture Undersecretary, expressed that the assistance extended was part of the commitment of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the peace process with the members of the MILF.
According to Opapp Project Implementation Chairperson, Irene Santiago, the program was not just about “giving and receiving” rather “about making social change” with the combatants and their communities.