IDB Welcomes New Chairman Türkish Ambassador HE Mehmet Suat Akgün, Convenes Board Members and Visits Stakeholders

The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) is pleased to announce the appointment of His Excellency Mehmet Suat Akgὕn, as its new Chairman, following the end of term of HE Ahmet Idem Akay.

Ambassador Akgὕn brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role of the organization in the peace process in Mindanao as the IDB continues to oversee the decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants with utmost impartiality, integrity, and confidentiality.

As part of his introduction to the IDB, Ambassador Akgὕn convened the IDB Board Members and meet with stakeholders of various mechanisms of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to provide updates on the decommissioning program and share IDB’s preparations for the resumption of the third phase as well as the possibility to fast track phase 4 decommissioning. These visits provided opportunity for the IDB to engage with stakeholders and build stronger relationships with its partners and most importantly put forward the gains of peace in the Bangsamoro homeland.

“We have come a long way and have done a lot for the peace process,” said the New IDB Chairman. IDB is created to provide an enabling environment for the Bangsamoro, allowing the MILF combatants to transition to productive civilian life. The IDB is created by the GPH and MILF to oversee the process of decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons. It is a key component of the normalization structure in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

18 March 2023 – New IDB chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn convenes the second IDB Board Meeting for the year 2023. Present during the meeting were Vice-Chairman William Hovland from the Kingdom of Norway, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani from Brunei Darussalam, GPH Representatives (Ret) LtGen Rey Ardo and Prof. Mario Aguja, MP Jannati Mimbantas, MILF Representative (via VTC), Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm, and Operations Manager Ms. Anna Farina Pacete.

19 March 2023 – IDB Chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn visited Assembly and Processing Area (APA) located at Old Capitol, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte together with Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, and Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) composed of MILF-BIAF and GPH Armed Forces and Philippine National Police. Also, present on this event is the VMAT Commander Police Officer Huseyin Kara (Türkiye) who provided a walkthrough on the APA while explaining the different areas and steps of the combatant’s decommissioning process.

19 March 2023 – IDB chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn toured around the vicinity of Secured Arms Storage Area (SASA) located at Camp Abubakar, Barira, Maguindanao del Norte together with Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, GPH Representatives (Ret) LtGen Rey Ardo and Prof. Mario Aguja, Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm, VMAT Commander Huseyin Kara, VMAT International Capt. Khairul Karia from Brunei, GPH Senior Officer LTC Esrael Olimpayan and MILF Senior Officer Solaiman Maongko, Support Services Manager Jamal Umngan and Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) composed of MILF-BIAF and GPH Armed Forces and Philippine National Police.

19 March 2023 – IDB Chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call to the 1st Marine Brigade led by Brig. Gen. Eric Macaambac and company located at Camp Iranun, Barira, Maguindanao del Norte. Also present on this visit are Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, GPH Representative (Ret) LtGen Rey Ardo, Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm, VMAT Commander Huseyin Kara, GPH Senior Officer LTC Esrael Olimpayan and MILF Senior Officer Solaiman Maongko, and Support Services Manager Jamal Umngan. The IDB Chair extended his gratitude to the 1st Marine Brigade in providing outer security to the SASA facility and Brig. Gen. Macaambac expressed the company's commitment to defend and provide security to SASA.

20 March 2023 – IDB chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call with the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC-GPH) via video teleconference. Present on this meeting were Atty. Laisa Alamia, GPH TFDCC Chair, Ms. DJ Caraig, Ms. Fatima Saquilayan, and Ms. Fatima Rasheeda Nandu, GPH TFDCC Secretariat together with IDB Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm and Executive Assistant Laida Musa. During the courtesy call, GPH-TFDCC Chair Atty. Laisa Alamia updated the new IDB Chairman Ambassador Suat Akgὕn on the resumption of Phase 3 Decommissioning, including the status of funds for transitional cash assistance, and addressed TFDCC-related queries discussed during the consultations with MILF-BIAF.

21 March 2023 – IDB Chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call to the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) located at Camp BGen Salipada K Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao. In this event, IDB Chairman expressed gratitude to PRO-BAR for their commitment to support IDB by providing commissioned and non-commissioned officers to aid in the operations of the IDB Headquarters and the Secured Arms Storage Area (SASA) in Camp Abubakar. Also present on this visit are Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm, VMAT Commander Huseyin Kara, and GPH Senior Officer LTC Esrael Olimpayan. On the one hand, PRO BAR warmly welcomes the IDB chairman with a cultural performance and with the presence of PBGEN Gil Francis G. Tria - Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PCOL James Gulmatico - Deputy Regional Director for Operations, PCOL Germano Mallari, C, RPRMD, PLTCOL Antonietto Eric Mendoza, AC, RID, PCOL Tom Tuzon, C, ROD, PLTCOL Edgar Batoon, OIC, RLRDD, PCOL Jibin Bongcayao, C, RIDMD, PCOL Christopher Panapan, C, RLDDD, PLTCOL Jonathan Degracia, OIC, RPPD, and PLTCOL Junival Ngolab, AC, RICTMD.

21 March 2023 – IDB chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call with Hon. Von Al-Haq - Co-Chair, MILF Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) who also served as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Local Government (MILG). Present on this visit are Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, and Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm. In this visit, both parties extended their gratitude and commitment for the decommissioning process and unwavering support of IDB to the peace process.

21 March 2023 – IDB Chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call with Chairs and Members of the Government of the Philippines - Joint Peace Security Committee (JPSC) and Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) at OPAPRU Office, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Present on this meeting were Mr. Ariel C Hernandez – Chair of GPH-JNC, PA David Diciano – JNC Member, LtGen Danilo Pamonag – JNC Member, MGen Francisco Ariel Felicidario – Chair of JPSC, and Capt Navy Norsal Dimaporo – Chief of AFP PDO. On the other hand, IDB representatives in attendance were Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, and Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm. During this visit, the involved parties have expressed their deep gratitude and appreciation towards each other for their collective efforts towards the decommissioning process. They have acknowledged the challenges and obstacles that they have had to overcome and have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment towards the peace process. The parties have recognized the significant progress made so far and have pledged to continue working together to achieve lasting peace and stability for the Bangsamoro.

21 March 2023 – IDB Chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call with the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH-MILF). Present on this meeting were Hon. Butch Malang the Co-chair of MILF CCCH together with Engr. Zubair A. Guiaman - Secretariat Member, CCCH-MILF. The IDB Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani and Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm welcomed them to the new IDB HQ. In this meeting, the MILF-CCCH Office has pledged to continue its active support for the efforts towards decommissioning, recognizing the critical importance of sustained cooperation and collaboration among all parties involved in the peace process.

21 March 2023 – IDB chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call with the office of Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH-GPH) located at OPAPRU Office, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Present on this meeting were Ret. Cl. Joel Q. Mamon - Head of Combined Secretariat for GPH CCCH and GPH AHJAG, and Mr. Ryan Dave Jungco - Chief Operations Officer Combined Secretariat for GPH CCCH and GPH AHJAG. On the other hand, IDB representatives in attendance were Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, and Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm. During this visit, both parties have conveyed their deep appreciation for the progress made in the decommissioning process, while also reiterating their unwavering commitment in ensuring the success of the peace process.

22 March 2023 – IDB chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call with the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC-MILF) held at Ministry of Science and Technology, BARMM Cotabato city. Present on this meeting were Engr. Aida Silongan - Co-Chairman, MILF TFDCC with Mr. Hashim Manticayan and other TFDCC MILF staff. Together with the chairman on this visit were IDB Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, and Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm. During the courtesy call, Engr. Aida Silongan - Co-Chairman, MILF TFDCC welcomed the new IDB Chairman Ambassador Suat Akgὕn and updated on the deliverables of Phase 3 Decommissioning, including the status of funds for transitional cash assistance, and addressed TFDCC-related queries discussed during the consultations with MILF-BIAF.

22 March 2023 – IDB chairman HE Mehmet Suat Akgὕn had a courtesy call with the MILF-JNC Head Secretariat Akmad “Toks” Brahim held at the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, BARMM Cotabato city. Present on this meeting were Akmad “Toks” Brahim - Head of Secretariat, JNC; Zuharto Bagundang - Secretariat, JNC together with the IDB Vice-Chairman William Hovland, International Expert Mr. Haji Azlan Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, and Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm. During the courtesy call, MP Akmad Toks Brahim reiterated the importance to discuss with the government side the issues and concerns and the continuous coordination of other mechanism involved in putting forward the gains of peace in BARMM. //JCB