MUNAI, Lanao del Norte -- The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) forged a Pledge of Commitment on Tuesday to signify their support for a clean, orderly and peaceful election.

The said signing is another major milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process, as it was held here inside the MILF’s sprawling Camp Bilal, which was once considered a major stronghold of the revolutionary group in the province.

Over the past days, the Joint GPH and MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) together with the Ad hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) has visited several MILF commands and neighboring areas to engage MILF members and discuss with them the agreements contained in the Guidelines for Mutual Understanding signed last April 30, 2022 between the GPH-MILF CCCH in relation to the May 2022 elections.

Under the pledge of commitment, the CCCH, AHJAG, AFP, PNP and MILF commanders agreed to:

Adhere to the ceasefire protocols as stipulated in the operational guidelines of the Agreement on General Cessation of hostilities of 1997 or the Ceasefire Agreement signed between the national government and MILF;

Not to commit any violent or provocative actions that may trigger MILF members, the civilian populace, or the government’s security forces to do the same; and

To remain neutral and not participate in any political-related engagements on the ground that may lead to situations of conflict.

With the signing of the Pledge of Commitment, Galvez noted that the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) had helped raise the socio-civic awareness of the MILF, and paved the way for the establishment of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

The UBJP is the political organization formed by the MILF under the leadership of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim in order to ensure the MILF’s active participation in the upcoming elections.

“Kaugnay nito, ay hinihiling namin ang buong-pusong kooperasyon at suporta ng ating mga kapatid na MILF sa darating na halalan. Nawa’y tumulong po tayong lahat upang maisagawa ito ng malinis at maayos,” he said.

Galvez also encouraged all qualified men and women members of the MILF to join the Philippine National Police, especially those who have finished their college education.

“Sa darating na May 29, ay idaraos ang National Special Qualifying Eligibility Exam (NSQEE) ng National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) para sa mga gustong maging tagapagpatupad ng kapayapaan at kaayusan sa bansa. Ang pinakamalapit po na testing center sa ating komunidad ay ang Cotabato City,” he said.

The peace adviser likewise lauded the completion of the road project inside the camp, which has significantly improved the movement of people and goods.

“Isa po sa naging programa natin ay ang pagpapaganda ng kalsada dito sa Camp Bilal at nakita naman natin na malaki po ang naging tulong dahil ‘yung mga nagiiskwela ay mabilis na pong nakakapunta sa kanilang mga paaraalan,” he said.

Galvez also assured the MILF that the national government will continue to implement interventions that will help uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro people and bring sustainable development and genuine peace to their communities.

“Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy na magsisikap ang administrasyong Duterte at OPAPRU upang makatulong na maiangat pa ang antas ng inyong pamumuhay, at higit sa lahat, magkaroon ng tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan dito sa inyong mga komunidad sa Bangsamoro,” Galvez said.

Meanwhile, MP Abdullah “Commander Bravo” Macapaar, who is also the commander of MILF’s Northwestern Mindanao Front in Camp Bilal threw his full support behind the conduct of a safe and peaceful election.

“Nandito po tayo ngayon upang pag-usapan ang pangkapayapaan at ma-maintain po natin ang peace dito sa Mindanao lalo na po sa darating na Halalan sa May 9 na sana walang mangyayaring dayaan, at maipagpapatuloy po natin ang Munai at ang kapayapaan sa darating na eleksyon,” Macapaar declared.

The former combatant-turned-civil servant also urged his constituents to continuously support the peace process between the government and the MILF, as this will be the key to realizing the hopes and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

For his part, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Commander BGen Rey B. Alemania stressed that ensuring peaceful and honest elections should be the responsibility of everyone in the community.

“Bawat isa po ay kailangan gawin ang nararapat para maitaguyod ang kapayapaan sa darating na halalan,” Alemania said.

“Ang pakikalahok po natin sa halalang ito ay pagpapakita ng ating pagmamahal sa ating bayan at paggalang sa bawat isa upang maprotektahan natin ang karapatan sa pagpili po ng ating mga lider base po sa ating mga konsensya,” he added.

The signing of the Pledge Commitment was also graced by OPAPRU Usec. David B. Diciano, chairperson of the Government Peace Implementing Panel for GPH-MILF Peace Accord; OPAPRU Assistant Secretary for Reconciliation and Unity Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr.;  Executive Director Cesar D. De Mesa, head of the PAMANA National Program Management Department; BGen Antonio G. Nafarrete, chairman of the Government of the Philippines-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCCH); BGen Jose Randolf Sinocruz of the 1ID Division; BGen Rey R. Alemania and Col. Charlemagne F Batayola Jr. of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade; and IMT Team Site 2 Deputy Team Leader  Lt Col Mohd Azhar bin Yusof RMAF. (OPAPRU)