MILF suspends laying down of arms amid BARMM polls

Murad stops participation in decommissioning

- By ROEL PAREÑO and JOHN UNSON

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has barred its members from participating in decommissioning activities after accusing the government of reneging on its promise to provide MILF combatants, who had availed themselves of the process, with the support needed for their reintegration into society.

In an order on Aug. 16, MILF chairman Alhadj Murad Ebrahim directed all fronts, commanders and members not to participate in any decommissioning activity of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) without his written approval.

The OPAPRU has denied reneging on its promise of support, saying the government had allocated P4 billion for the process since 2019.

An OPAPRU official, who requested anonymity, described Murad's action as a "dangerous move," noting that it might have an impact on the security of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary election in October.