Tulfo questions difference in cash aid to ex-MILF, MNLF rebs
SEN. Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, questioned the discrepancy in cash assistance for surrenderees from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Tulfo noted that while an MILF surrenderee receives P100,000 cash assistance during the decommissioning process, an MNLF surrenderee receives P45,000 only.
“Why is there a difference?,” Tulfo asked Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
Appearing before the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation hearing on the delays on the decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons, Galvez admitted that MILF combatants had indeed received P100,000 each during the decommissioning while MNLF surrenderees had only received an “initial” amount of P45,000.”
Galvez, however said, the remaining P55,000 will be given to the MNLF surrenderees after the decommissioning process has been completed. He added that the government is currently undergoing the stenciling of surrendered firearms of the MNLF.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said the challenge to the government, Independent Decommissioning Body (IDF), and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is to ensure that the guns owned by the rebel returnees are licensed and acquired in accordance with the law.
In the same hearing, Dela Rosa said he found nothing wrong in buying guns as long as it is within the law.
“A Mindanaoan has a right to buy a gun just like any Filipino as long as the procurement is within the bound of the law or in line with the Comprehensive Firearm Law.
What’s important is the firearms are legal and recorded,” Dela Rosa said in mixed Filipino and English.
