Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Sixth Infantry Division and Joint Task Force central commander, made a historic visit to Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-haj Murad Ibrahim in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, on Aug. 19.
After almost two decades, a military commander set foot on the revered ground of the MILF’s Camp Darapanan, a historic visit after the military overran Camp Abubakar in July of 2000. The MILF set Camp Darapanan as its new enclave after the military took over their former turf.
As a sign of his commitment to pursue peace, Sobejana and his Brigade and Battalion Commanders, General Staff and Technical staff had the opportunity to be in the camp after all these years.
Said Ibrahim: “We are embracing you in this camp with a sincere and a clean heart with a common goal. We have the similar objective, which is peace and progress for our people.”
On July 9, 2000, after a two-month military operation, the MILF’s Abubakar camp fell into the hands of the military with over 20,000 residents were affected.
Murad sounded the retreat of his forces when the marines broke through the camp’s gateway after days of relentless military operation in Abubakar.
It was the end of an “all-out war” struck by then President Joseph Estrada against the MILF. It was aptly called the “Erap War,” in which Estrada was determined to finish the operation with a victory.
“The visits are an opportunity for us to listen to your future programs and activities in as far as the approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Sobejana said.
“In war, we cannot get enough, but in talking we can get more than we expect. We are here in full support and cooperation with all your noble intention and undertakings.”
The visit was the second main event in the Darapanan camp this past month. On July 29, 2018, 96,000 people flocked to the camp to attend the Bangsamoro Consultative Assembly.
The MILF leadership was overwhelmed as they gathered an unprecedented number of attendees, although they were only expecting 30,000 MILF supporters.
The MILF central committee leaders are seeking support that will be measured through a plebiscite 90 days after President Rodrigo Duterte enacted the Bangsamoro Organic Law or Republic Act 11054 on July 26.