Colombian Experts visit to IDB SASA and HQ, shared learning experiences on Peace Process

Cotabato City - On 9 November 2023, in an initiative to highlight the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioning strategies of the comprehensive Philippine peace process, the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) welcomed the Colombian experts headed by Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Marcela Ordonez to share insights and experiences related to peace processes.

Accompanying Ambassador Ordonez were distinguished Colombian delegates, including Leonardo Heladio Salcedo Garcia, Territorial Deputy Director of the Colombian Agency for Reintegration and Normalization; Sergio Andrés Arévalo Cárdenas, Head of Planning of the Executive Directorate of the Colombia in Peace Fund; Nadia Gabriela Triviño López, Delegate of the Implementation Unit of the Final Agreement; Juan Camilo Londoño Ramírez, Executive Director of the National Federation of Associative Forms for ECOMUN; and Diana María Viloria Blanco, Delegate to the National Reincorporation Council by the Comunes component.

Part of the various activities of the columbian experts is to visit the Secured Arms Storage Area in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte and the IDB Headquarters in Cotabato City. During their visit, the columbian delegates were accompanied by OPAPRU representatives headed by OPAPRU Senior Undersecretary Isidro L. Purisima  - Deputy PAPRU, Executive Director Cesar D. De Mesa - Executive Director for Bangsamoro Transformation/ Chair, JTFCT/TJR, MP Atty. Laisa M. Alamia - Chair, TFDCC and Director Wendell P.Orbeso - Head, MILF PPO/JNC Secretariat.

During the visit, IDB Chief of Staff, Tom Hjertholm provided a detailed briefing on the mandate of IDB, the MILF decommissioning process and its notable accomplishments. Mr. Hjertholm emphasized the mandate of the IDB as the “overseer” of the MILF decommissioning process to ensure that the entire process adheres to the governing documents, agreed upon by both the Government of the Philippines and the MILF Peace Implementing Panels. On the one hand, the Colombian delegation also shared a brief history of the peace agreement signed by the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), along with the five key points contained in the agreement.

In summary, the visit of the Columbian experts provided an avenue of learning exchange to share insights on conflict resolution strategies. This provided a valuable opportunity for mutual learning and insights into peace building initiatives. The IDB remains dedicated to fostering international cooperation and learning from global experiences in advancing peace processes. The visit by Colombian experts underscores the commitment of both nations to building a more peaceful and stable world. //JCB