United Nations expressed support for Mindanao peace initiative

The Palace welcomed the statement of the United Nations extending support to the country's quest for Mindanao peace, which has been threatened by the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last week.

"Malugod na tinatanggap ng pamahalaan ang pagpapahayag ng suporta ng United Nations (UN) sa patuloy na pagtataguyod at pagsulong sa prosesong pangkapayapaan ng pamahalaan," said.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said "malaki ang maiaambag na tulong mula sa UN peace building fund upang tustusan ang iba’t ibang gawain at programa patungkol sa prosesong pangkapayapaan."

Also last week, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed in Malaysia the decommissioning of firearms by the rebel group.

The decommissioning of arms by the MILF will be done in a gradual and phased process, Coloma said.

Four batches of armed MILF combatants will undergo processing in six to 12 processing areas that will be done by an Independent Decommissioning Body.

Ambassador Hayder Berk of Turkey will head the decommissioning body, and he will be joined by other representatives from Japan, United Kingdom, as well as from the Philippines.

The four-phased decommissioning process will start through a ceremonial turnover of 75 high-powered weapons. And once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is ratified, it is expected that 30 percent of MILF combatants including their firearms are decommissioned.

After that, 35 percent will be decommissioned in the third phase of the decommissiong process, Coloma said. The remaining weapons and combatants will be decommissioned in the fourth phase.

Coloma also commented on the possible retaliation of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), after Abu Marwan, the target of the police assault in Maguindanao, was allegedly killed.

"Handa po ang Sandatahang Lakas at lahat ng puwersa ng pamahalaan para labanan po ang ganyang balak at tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan. Ganap po ang kahandaan ng Sandatahang Lakas."

Coloma said authorities are still verifying through DNA analysis if Marwan has indeed been killed in the SAF commando raid.

Forty-four SAF commandos died in the ensuing firefight after the assault in Marwan's said hideout in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The government promised assistance to the families of the slain policemen. (PCOO News Release)