Brigada Eskwela slated for schools in MILF camps

COTABATO CITY -As a gesture of the commitment and readiness of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in line with the ongoing peace negotiations with the government, a series of service activities will be facilitated in schools situated in the identified MILF camps in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur come June 3 to 5. The activity will be facilitated hand-in-hand by the MILF, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government units (LGUs) and line agencies in respective provinces. The activity will also manifest the transition of the MILF members from combatants to becoming civilians living normal lives in their communities with their families. The activities will focus on school children whose education were once disturbed by armed conflicts and the role of their mothers in supporting their day-to-day school activities and needs. It will also highlight the advocacy of the MILF in improving the lives of their members and ensuring the future of their children and the Bangsamoro. On June 3, the activity will simultaneously commence at Camp Rajamuda in Pikit, North Cotabato and Camp Bushra in Lanao del Sur. By next day, June 4, the Brigada Eskwela will be conducted in Camp Abubakar in Matanog, Maguindanao and in Camp Omar, also of the same province. On the final day, June 5, the activity will be focused in Camp Badre in Maguindanao province. Services that will be rendered during the three-day activities for the school children will include free medical and dental services, hair-cut, distribution of medicines and general cleaning and repairs of schoolrooms. Parents in respective schools are also advised to bring brooms, rakes and other cleaning tools. Peace Panel members, key government officials from the three provinces and covered municipalities, dignitaries, including officials of government line agencies are also expected to join the scheduled Brigada Eskwela in MILF camps this week.