News flash: Unknown to news editors, the MILF official website luwaran.com banner news said today that the appointment papers of the GRP-MILF transition committee members had already been signed by President Aquino. The transition committee would oversee the socio-economic programs launched today with Aquino’s visit to the communities just outside the MILF main camp in Maguindanao. The MILF source said that the transition committee included three from Sulu, one from Basilan, two from Maguindanao, both women, one of whom is a member of the T’duray tribe, one from Lanao, a Christian woman of Muslim descent, and three more representatives of other sectors; as follows:
From luwaran.com : “February 11, 2013 News: No less than Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and MILF Chairman Al haj Murad Ebrahim will lead officials of both Parties in the launching of socio-economic development today for civilian communities in Mindanao especially highly depressed ones including those of indigenous communities and migrants.
“The venue for this launching, code named Sajahatra Bangsamoro, will be at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) Training Center in Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
“Sajahatra, which means peace or blissful, is a word common to most Moro ethnic tribes with some minor variations in pronouncement. The word has Malayo-Polynesian root. In Malaysia, it is pronounced as sejehatraan.
“These socio-economic program for Bangsamoro communities in Mindanao is one of the functions of the Transition Commission (TC), whose membership is expected to be named very soon.
“According to a well-placed source, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the issue, disclosed that President Aquino has already signed the appointment papers for the 15-man TC and will be announced soon.
“The source further said that three members of the TC come from Sulu, two men and one woman, one from Basilan, a Christian woman with Moro blood, two from Maguindanao, one of whom is a member of the T’duray tribe, and one from Lanao. Both TC members from Maguindanao are reportedly women.
“According to Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Esmail Pasigan, a member of the MILF Peace Panel Secretariat and coordinator of the project on the part of the MILF, the program signifies the partnership of the government (GPH) and the MILF in working towards peace and development of Bangsamoro communities.
“Sajahatra Bangsamoro will focus on health, education, and livelihood services. Xxx”
