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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
CAMP DARAPANAN, Maguindanao del Norte, September 24, 2024 (SDN) — After three years of gestation, veteran fighters — mujaheedin and mujaheedat — of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) can expect “comprehensive support” from the Bangsamoro government.
The “comprehensive support” will come from the passage of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Bill No. 44 on February 26, 2024, which will create the Office of the Bangsamoro Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance (OBMUSC) tasked to oversee the program’s implementation.
The OBMUSC will implement the bill’s objective of providing MNLF and MILF former combatants the strong support they need in honor of their sacrifices and contributions in the decades of Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination.
One of the stalwarts of the Women Sector of the MILF, Member of Parliament (MP) Aida Silongan, minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), announced at the MILF Consultative Assembly and General Meeting on September 23 at Camp Darapanan the passage of what she dubbed “Veterans’ Bill” by the Bangsamoro Parliament.
MILF chief negotiator Iqbal welcomes passage of bill for ex-combatants
“The Veterans’ Bill has already been passed in Parliament, its IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) is in its final stage, and it will be ready for publication in regional newspapers,” Silongan said, adding he was hoping the IRR will be implemented before end of the year.
MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher M. Iqbal, head of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of BARMM, cited the significance of the law that will take care of the mujaheedin and mujaheedat, saying it was about time former combatants get their due respect and assistance from the Bangsamoro government.
“They shed blood, sweat and tears, many lost their lives during the war and will never see the fruit of their sacrifices for the Bangsamoro cause. Our only consolation is that there are still many who will be able to get their due recognition,” said Iqbal, chief negotiator of the MILF during the 17 years peace negotiations with the Philippine government.
He added that the bill has established criteria for the former MILF and MNLF combatants, meaning not everyone will be included in the list.
Mayor Abduhassan Ismail I. Sali, Al-Haj, of Languyan Island, a municipality of Tawi-Tawi, BARMM, recalled to SDN – SciTech & Digital News that he spoke with MILF Chair Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim about the condition of hundreds of former MNLF and MILF combatants.
The mayor is part of the Moro youths called Top 300 who trained as guerrillas in a foreign country. “There are now only 44 of us still alive,” he said of his comrades in arm.
He recalled that in his past meetings with Ebrahim, chief minister of BARMM, he suggested the Bangsamoro government needs to help the former combatants because they are facing difficulties and a host of challenges.
He said Brother Murad asked what assistance. The mayor said medical and health, financial, and others.
“I am very happy there is now a law with the passage of the Mujaheedin Bill that will help our brothers and sisters in the Bangsamoro struggle,” he noted.
In a recent statement from the BTA, it explained that qualified recipients, including senior citizens or those with permanent, partial, or total disabilities within the ranks of MILF and MNLF, will be entitled to a minimum monthly aid of Php7,000.
In the first year of implementation, recipients will receive a lump sum of Php84,000, followed by quarterly allowances in the subsequent years.
It added that a fund worth an initial of Php500 million will be appropriated and integrated into the annual budget of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM).
The eligibility criteria outlined in the bill include mujahideen who participated in the struggle for the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro people between 1969 and 2014 for a minimum of 20 years. These individuals must also belong to the underprivileged sector, the BTA said.
Permanent partial disabilities, as defined by the law, include complete and permanent loss of any finger, one arm, one foot, any toe, one hand, one leg, one or both ears, hearing of one or both ears, sight of one eye, and other cases approved by the OBMUSC.
While permanent total disabilities are due to injuries or diseases causing complete, irreversible, and permanent incapacity that renders a member unable to work or engage in any gainful occupation, resulting in a loss of income.
Qualifying disabilities include complete loss of sight for both eyes, loss of two limbs at or above the ankle or wrists, permanent complete paralysis of two limbs, brain injury resulting in incurable imbecility or insanity, and other cases approved by OBMUSC.
In relation with the bill’s passage, Silongan warned unscrupulous persons to desist from collecting money from former combatants, saying the law will be used against those who transgresses.
Silongan also cautioned former combatants to be watchful and not easily fall into scammers’ scheme.
She added that no application form for the former rebels for inclusion in the list of those qualified has been distributed yet, so concerned ex-combatants should not believe if someone approaches and offer it in exchange for money.
“Don’t be fooled,” the head of MOST, one of the BARMM’s 15 primary ministries, further warned.
SDN learned that the BVMAO’s functions will cover financial, medical, social, and other forms of assistance in recognition of former MILF and MNLF combatants’ sacrifices — mujaheedin (male) and mujaheedat (female) — who defended and fought for the cause of the Bangsamoro.
In her speech at the event, Silongan also cited the importance of the participation of women in the Bangsamoro struggle.
MP Silongan thanks President Marcos for being attentive to BARMM concerns
She said in the BARMM government led by the Chief Minister Ebrahim, “women are not left behind.”
“We went through many things (during the Mindanao war), the MILF started off as revolutionary to strengthen the word of Allah, now we are with the Government of the Day. But it does not mean the struggle is finished,” Silongan emphasized.
Now, she said, the struggle is fighting poverty, promoting human rights, getting rid of discrimination. “As women of the MILF, we will continue the fight.”
A former Moro rebel combatant, now a veteran, Aliuddin S. Peti-Ilan, welcomed the announcement of Silongan on the passage of the bill.
“I am very happy,” the 68 years old former fighter told SDN in an interview as he was listening to the announcement at the MILF event. He said he was in the Bangsamoro struggle since the 1970s.
“I am happy that I was not martyred,” Peti-Ilan said, meaning he is still alive.
“Women’s participation is important, to give different perspective and give light to some issues and concerns,” Silongan said. She added the BARMM government did not leave behind the women, Muslim or Christian.
Meanwhile, Silongan called on MILF and MNLF former combatants to apply for amnesty if they have pending cases in the country’s courts.
She said application for amnesty (with the National Amnesty Commission) is already open.
The BARMM official said with amnesty those with cases will no longer worry about being arrested.
“You approach MPs and lawyers Lanang Ali and Mary Ann M. Arnado for your amnesty application,” she said.
Silongan also made sure to thank the Philippine government now under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for continuously partnering with the Bangsamoro government. (♡)