MILF Leader Makes Historic Visit to AFP Headquarters

Mnila, Philippines, MINA — Admitting there was a time he thought only of destroying or neutralizing military camps, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim yesterday thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the “distinct privilege of stepping into the hallowed grounds” of Camp Aguinaldo, Philstar reported.

Murad said the AFP, led by chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., and the MILF have forged an “unshakable partnership that will propel our country toward unity, peace, prosperity and development.”

Feeling nostalgic and happy, Murad made history as he visited the AFP’s general headquarters, no longer as an enemy but as a friend of the military, who is now working with the government toward the goal of attaining lasting peace in Mindanao.

Ebrahim arrived at Camp Aguinaldo with his vice chairman and other ranking MILF leaders and members of the Bangsamoro Transitional Commission (BTC) on Galvez’s invitation.

Ebrahim and his party were led by Galvez to the Bulwagang Balangiga at the main headquarters and presented him various mementoes and tokens as gesture of the AFP’s gratitude for the visit.

The MILF chairman and his panels later sat in a closed-door conference with Galvez, his joint chiefs of staff, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 1st Army Division commander Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, and 6th Army Division and Joint Task Force Central commander Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana.

“Well, it’s both happiness and sentiment. As what I have said, I never thought I would be walking around this camp,” Ebrahim told reporters after a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo with Galvez. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)