Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Chief Minister Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim visited for the first time the headquarters of the Philippine Army, a moment symbolizing firmer cooperation to strengthen peace and order in BARMM.
Philippine Army Chief LtGen. Cirilito Sobejana led the welcoming activity and conferring of arrival honors to the chief minister.
According to Ebrahim, they will “gradually integrate” their combatants to the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police.
There are currently five provinces and three cities in the BARMM, including Cotabato City the inclusion of which was made last month.
“Our concern is to stabilize peace and order in the region. And with the stable peace and order, it also benefits the whole country,” Sobejana stated.
Ebrahim is scheduled to meet President Rodrigo Duterte to report on the challenges faced by the region. Among the requests he has for the President is the extension of the transition period of BARMM.
“Yung nakikita namin, ‘yung task na ‘yun na ibinigay sa both the government panel and MILF panel and BARMM Transition Authority ay hindi sapat ang tatlong taon (We see that three years is not enough for the task given to both the government and MILF panel, and the BARMM Transition Authority),” he explained. – Report from Bea Bernardo
