AFP chief: War with MILF ‘finally over’

By Vince Angelo C. Ferreras
ARMED FORCES of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. officially announced the end of armed conflict between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Mr. Galvez visited the MILF’s Camp Darapan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, where he met with MILF chairperson Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim. “Today I can now declare that the war between the Armed Forces and the MILF is finally over. To my Commanders, let us embrace our brothers and sisters and give them respect and lasting peace that the Moro people deserve,” Mr. Galvez said.
Mr. Ebrahim welcomed the AFP chief and said that Mr. Galvez is always considered a friend of the MILF.
“The President is always very supportive and serious in his guidance to the AFP in sealing the peace process here in Muslim Mindanao,” Mr. Galvez said.
Early this year, AFP was already planning joint anti-terror operations with the MILF in Mindanao in the event of the Bangsamoro Organic Law’s enactment.
The meeting was attended by 6,000 MILF members who lined up on both sides of the 5-kilometer road from Cotabato City to Simuay, Sultan Kudarat.
Mr. Galvez was also the first military officer to be awarded with “Soldier of Peace Award” by the MILF.