MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said it is mourning with all peace-loving Filipinos following the death of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Yusop Jikiri.
Jikiri, 69, died of a bone ailment at his residence in Pasil, Indanan, Sulu Saturday night.
"The AFP joins every peace-loving Filipino in mourning the passing away of Yusop Jikiri, the beloved chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front," AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in a statement on Sunday.
He also called Jikiri's work in the MNLF and Sulu, as one of its former governors and congressional representatives, as instrumental in the forging of a strong partnership between the AFP and MNLF in the quest for peace.
Gapay said this culminated in the realization of the GPH-MNLF Peace Agreement.
"He is one of the strong pillars who advocated trust and respect as key to achieving lasting peace and development not only in the Province of Sulu but of the Bangsamoro," he added.
Gapay said the entire AFP is paying homage to Jikiri's great contribution to attaining peace and understanding in the southern Philippines.
"Ako, sampu ng bawat miyembro ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas, ay nagpupugay sa kanyang napakalaking ambag sa kapayapaan at pagkakaunawaan sa Katimugang bahagi ng ating bansa (I, along with members of the AFP, salute his big contribution in achieving peace and understanding in the southern part of our country)," he added.
He also hopes that Jikiri will serve as an inspiration to every Filipino aspiring for peace and prosperity in the country. (PNA)
