THE MORO Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been taken off the United Nations (UN) list of armed groups recruiting and using children in conflict, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced yesterday. A formal ceremony was held Nov. 4 to recognize the achievement. “Today, we mark an important milestone for the boys and girls of the Philippines. The Joint Action Plan between the MILF and the UN on the issue of recruitment and use of children has now been fully implemented… This achievement is the result of a sustained commitment by the MILF with United Nations support,” said Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in her congratulatory message. The UN and the MILF signed the Action Plan in 2009 and was completed at the beginning of 2017. It contains a six point road map, resulting in the disengagement of 1,869 children from the ranks of the MILF. The disengagement will facilitate the children’s access to appropriate support and services from government and development partners, including health, education and security. The MILF signed a peace agreement with the government on March 27, 2014. — Mindanao Bureau

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