NP’s Work in Mindanao Praised by Former IMT Head of Mission

Nonviolent Peaceforce in the Philippines joined the International Monitoring Team (IMT) as the only international NGO in its Civilian Protection Component, per invitation from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of Philippines in 2010. The invitation came as part of the peace process agreed to by the two. This work is one of the main undertakings of NP’s work in the region. NP carries out various activities together with the IMT team sites, such as protective accompaniment of civilians and shuttle diplomacy.

On March 13th 2016, there was a farewell dinner held for IMT’s local team, IMT-10. Former IMT Head of Mission, Major General Datuk Sheikh Mohksin, praised the great work of Nonviolent Peaceforce and expressed heartfelt thanks in his farewell speech, as well as in personal conversations. He went on to state several times that the work NP does makes the efforts of the IMT possible. He also stated that the information and understanding NP teams have of the situation on the ground is tremendous and essential—information he reiterated to the incoming Head of Mission as well. At the close of his remarks, the Major General dedicated the dinner to Nonviolent Peaceforce.