COTABATO CITY, PIA- Members and combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the military arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) registered as voters at the special registration center set up by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) at the Bangsamoro Islamic Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) Training Center in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Saturday, March 7.
BIAF spokesperson Von Al-Haq led his field commanders and men in the voter registration process, a manifestation of their commitment to enter and be part of the democratic process..
“I am happy. The last time that I voted was during the time of the late President Cory Aquino,” said Al-Haq during his registration.
Al-Haq lined up with his men during the verification, receiving and filling-out of forms and the other processes required during the registration of voters.
COMELEC Commissioner Al Parreño together with Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairperson Henrietta De Villa and COMELEC Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional director Atty. Ray Sumalipao personally witnessed the special registration of MILF fighters.
De Villa told the MILF fighters that they are making history as they decided to register and vote for the elections in 2016.
“Registration is the most important part of the electoral process. It is the entry point to the right of suffrage and the responsibility to participate in creating a government,” de Villa emphasized.
In his message, Sumalipao expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the MILF for the support that led to the realization of the activity.
Sumalipao said that the special registration project is a brainchild of both the government and the MILF and one of the concrete expressions of sincerity of both parties to pursue peace and development in Mindanao.
The special registration was also witnessed by the members of the Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities from both the government and the MILF; members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT); the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); and local poll watchdogs in Mindanao. (OPAPP)