Army, PNP back signing of CAB, vows to protect, promote peace

COTABATO CITY, March 27 (PNA) — Military and police officials in mainland Mindanao whose area of operations cover most of the provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are supporting the attainment of genuine peace in Mindanao.

In separate statements, Major Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division based in Camp Siongco, Maguindanao and Chief Supt. Noel Delos Reyes, ARMM police regional director, said peace is everybody’s desire, especially soldiers and policemen who are themselves stakeholders of the peace agreement to be signed Thursday afternoon in Malacanang.

“Our people, our policemen and law enforcers are also excited in the historic event today because we are among the beneficiaries and will enjoy the dividends of peace,” Delos Reyes said.

The signing of Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) will usher peace and development in the impoverished region.

Delos Reyes lauded the peace negotiators who sacrificed to come up with an acceptable and comprehensive peace agreement after 17 long years of crafting it.

Gapuz, meanwhile, stressed that the military assigned in Maguindanao and elsewhere in Mindanao have maintained the primacy of the peace process.

“We are behind the peace efforts of the national government, we will support it wherever the accord brings us,” Gapuz said.

He said more than anybody else in the island, the military is the first to try to avoid internal armed conflict for this is no longer necessary in this modern times. (Philippine News Agency)