MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA )-- A basketball friendship tournament dubbed "Kambollayoka" among the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Philippine National Police (PNP), and 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) commenced, January 29, at Kampo Ranao, here.

The event, sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in partnership with Strategic Communications and Capacity Building, was designed to strengthen camaraderie and coordination among government security sectors and the MILF.

According to USIP Visiting Expert Dr. Haroro Ingram, the game’s conceptualization began following a conversation between Col. Billy Dela Rosa of the 103rd Infantry Brigade and Member of Parliament Abdullah Macapaar.

"It [game] began about how we can build peace and friendship at the grassroots level, how potential issues out in the field could be overcome by uniting here," said Ingram.

"Throughout this entire process of organizing the Kambolayoka (basketball friendship game) event, there was never even a moment of hesitation. Everyone recognized and enthusiastically committed to [it], working toward this event," he added.

Ingram said establishing a relationship and line of communication is imperative to building genuine, lasting, and sustainable peace in the region.

"Peace may be planned and conditions agreed upon in government buildings, and hotels in the cities but the actual peace is one, which is sustained, it flourishes in a relentless issue, a full-time commitment that is blocked by block, street by street and like today’s event person by person," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Macapaar said, "No armed forces, no MILF, and no PNP. We are brothers and friends and will work together for peace here in Mindanao, especially here in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. Let's prove that we are united. Let's get rid of the anger, it's not against each other but as friends and brothers. Let’s develop the Philippines, especially Mindanao," he said.

BGen Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., the new commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, also expressed his support for the operation.

"Our desire here in the province of Lanao is peace and development, this is our collective aspiration, and we can achieve it through unity and cooperation. What we are doing and will do today [really] fits in with what I want to happen in our area in Lanao. Let's have unity and cooperation," Barroquilllo said.

Joined by at least 180 players, the game will be conducted weekly in different parts of Lanao del Sur. (PIA Lanao del Sur with information from Bangsamoro Information Office)