GPH military adviser for MILF talks named

Manila, Jan. 3 – A former brigade commander who has contributed significantly to maintaining peace in Mindanao is the new senior military adviser (SMA) to the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Brigadier General Leo Cresente Macaltao Ferrer was designated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as SMA effective November 29, 2011. He took the place of BGen. Restituto Aguilar who retired in August last year.

In a courtesy call made by Ferrer on Tuesday, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles expressed confidence on the new SMA who has extensive involvement in the peace process as a pioneer member and secretariat head of the GPH Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) upon its establishment in 2004. The AHJAG is a joint effort of the government and the MILF which seeks to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

“I am pleased that someone like BGen Ferrer, who’s bringing with him rich insights and experiences, will be working closely with our negotiating panel,” she stated.

A native of Pangasinan, Ferrer graduated at the Philippine Military Academy in 1981.

Prior to his SMA post, he was the commander of Task Force General Santos and the Philippine Army’s 601st Brigade designated in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, as well as areas in Maguindanao during the post-Maguindanao Massacre wherein he helped recover the Ampatuans’ firearms cache and apprehended those allegedly involved in the massacre.

According to the GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, Ferrer was always compliant to the ceasefire agreement.

When his brigade was transferred to Lanao del Norte where Commander Bravo Macapaar of the MILF Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces operated, Ferrer was able to deal with lawless armed groups involved in kidnapping, piracy and extortion while ensuring that no violations were made against the ceasefire agreement.