Reactivated gov't AHJAG holds 1st meeting

Davao City, Apr. 19 – Police and military members of the government’s reactivated Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) recently held their first organizational meeting to familiarize themselves on the anti-criminal mechanism’s structure and functions.

The AHJAG is a joint effort of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that seeks to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

Held at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases here, the meeting was attended by some 40 AHJAG members and other peace and security officials including Marvic Leonen, chair of the government peace panel negotiating with the MILF; and BGen. Alan Luga, head of the GPH AHJAG.

The AHJAG was initially formed during the May 2002 peace negotiations between the GPH and the MILF in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. It is composed of eight core members – four from the GPH and four from the MILF.

In the GPH-MILF formal exploratory talks held on February 9-10 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, both parties agreed to renew AHJAG’s mandate for another 12 months beginning on March 1.

During the meeting, Luga discussed the AHJAG’s basis for creation, organizational structure, functions, mechanics of implementation, and some activities planned for the action group.

He also eyed a joint meeting of the GPH and MILF components of AHJAG to ensure maximum cooperation between the two parties, as well as intensified collaboration with the International Monitoring Team (IMT), the body that monitors the ceasefire, civilian protection component, rehabilitation and development, and socio-economic agreements between the government and the MILF.

Leonen, on the other hand, remarked that the government peace mechanisms and security forces should continue to foster civilian-military relationships.

The peace panel chair further reiterated that while the government is sincere in its efforts to attain lasting peace, it still keeps itself ready to respond when conflict arises.

The government AHJAG operates with five teams in Mindanao conflict affected areas: (1) Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Bukidnon; (2) Lanao and Misamis provinces; (3) Zamboanga peninsula and ARMM island provinces; (4) South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City; and (5) Davao Provinces.

It has three secretariat offices situated in Davao, Zamboanga and Cotabato.#