LIVELIHOOD PACKAGE. The fishing and farming equipment provided by the Maguindanao provincial government to 29 former members of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters during turnover ceremonies held at the satellite provincial capitol grounds in Buluan, Maguindanao, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. (Photo courtesy of 40th IB)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Twenty-nine former combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were chosen as beneficiaries of a livelihood package extended on Tuesday by the Maguindanao provincial government.
Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu led Tuesday's distribution of livelihood assistance at the satellite Provincial Capitol grounds in Buluan town with actor Robin Padilla.
Mangudadatu expressed confidence that the assistance to the 29 beneficiaries would dissuade them from rejoining their comrades still in the jungles fighting a lost cause.
The former BIFF rebels, who formed an association, were given 20 units of hand tractors with carts, bags of rice seedlings, 13 fishing boats, fishnets, and 60 packs of assorted groceries.
Mangudadatu said the assistance was made possible through the help of the Department of Agriculture of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The governor encouraged the former rebels to convince their friends and relatives not to join extremist groups for the sake of their families.
“There is no more need to take up arms against the government because I promise to provide you with basic government services that would be brought to your communities,” she said during the turnover ceremony on Tuesday.
In a speech, Padilla encouraged the former rebels with stories of his own experiences as an actor in helping alleviate the plight of the Moro people.
Colonel Efren Baluyot, Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander lauded Lt. Colonel Rogelio Gabi, 40th Infantry Battalion commander, for initiating the gathering of all stakeholders for peace in his area of jurisdiction.
Baluyot also told the former rebels and the people they are serving in Maguindanao that the military is tired of war and that it also wants peace in the province.
“Violence is not a solution to social problems ion Maguindanao, violence will only bring more violence and problems and hamper the development of your area,” Baluyot said. (PNA)
