THE month-long training of the Second Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) reeled off Monday at Camp General Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao.
The training involved the participation of 325 individuals comprising of 152 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF), 96 policemen, and 77 soldiers.
The Bureau of Public Information of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BPI-Barmm) said the JPSTs will provide security during the decommissioning of the MILF and tasked to assist in the documentation of private armies and other armed groups; reduction of loose firearms; maintain ceasefire and end outbreak of violence; and provide security personnel and activities related to peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
The members of the JPST will be assigned in different areas that were mutually agreed by the Philippine government and the MILF to support the peace and order and stability.
Abdulraof Macacua, Barmm’s environment minister, has urged the people to support the sustainability of peace and order.
“Ang pagtitipon na ito ay nagpapatunay lamang na tunay na makapangyarihan ang tinatawag nating kapayapaan,” he said.
“In our previous experience, we have to treat this transition test as another chapter of Bangsamoro struggle,” Barmm Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said in a message read by Macacua during the start of the training.
“As warrior of peace, we are obliged to do our best in any task before us including attentive participation in this training, In Shaa Allah,” Ebrahim said.
Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez, Jr., earlier said that the JPSTs will be created to provide security in the six recognized MILF camps during the decommissioning process, which officially started in September.
Galvez said the JPSTs will serve until 2022, when the interim government of BARMM ends its term in office. (SunStar Zamboanga)