From Fighters to Farmers: Former MILF Combatants Trained to Raise Native Chickens in Mindanao
IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY — Once carrying arms for the Moro struggle, a group of 12 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants are now raising chickens instead of conflict — learning how to build livelihoods through native poultry farming in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.
These ex-fighters, drawn from recognized MILF camps across Mindanao, completed a two-day training program on raising Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) native chickens, part of a broader effort to help them transition to peaceful, productive lives.
The initiative, organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–Soccsksargen in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), aims to provide science and technology-based livelihood opportunities for former combatants and their families in six acknowledged MILF camps.
From Fighters to Farmers
The training, held at Josefina H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC)–Dumingag Campus, combined lectures and hands-on sessions on poultry care, feeding, and sustainable production methods tailored to Mindanao’s local conditions.
“Hindi ito mababayaran, ‘yong laking tulong na ibinigay niyo sa amin… sa lahat ng mga dumaan na trainings sa aming mga camp, ito lang siguro ang nakita namin na mag-impact ng maganda,” said participant Zaidali Hyaji Salik from Camp Bilal, expressing gratitude for what he called the most meaningful training they’ve received.
(“This help is priceless. Among all the training sessions in our camps, this is the only one that we feel will have a truly positive impact.”)
DOST–Soccsksargen Regional Director Engr. Sammy Malawan said the program demonstrates how science and compassion can converge to build peace.
“We are helping former combatants transition into productive citizens who contribute to community stability and inclusive growth,” he said.
For Dr. Moises Glenn Tangalin, JHCSC-Dumingag campus director and project leader, promoting native chicken farming isn’t just a livelihood effort — it’s also about improving nutrition and supporting local agriculture.
“We need to enhance and boost the production of ZamPen native chicken because it’s a healthier option compared to commercial varieties,” Tangalin explained.
The program forms part of the joint DOST-OPAPRU project “Empowering Former Combatants and Families in the Six Acknowledged MILF Camps in Mindanao through Provision of Science and Technology Interventions.” It seeks to strengthen peacebuilding through livelihood opportunities that are community-based, sustainable, and science-driven.
Junainah Balindong Abdulcarim, OPAPRU-JTFCT camp facilitator for Camp Bilal, said the ultimate goal is sustainability.
“With DOST’s help, we hope to sustain this initiative and build peaceful and prosperous lives in our camps,” she said.
For these former combatants, every chick raised represents a small but powerful step toward rebuilding lives — and a lasting peace in Mindanao.
Six Recognized MILF Camps
The six acknowledged MILF camps — Camp Abubakar As-Siddique, Camp Badre, Camp Omar, Camp Rajamuda, Camp Bushra, and Camp Bilal — are part of the normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the MILF and the Philippine government in 2014.
The agreement paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the decommissioning of MILF combatants. Programs like this chicken-raising initiative form part of the peacebuilding efforts to help former fighters reintegrate into civilian life, promote stability, and reduce poverty in conflict-affected communities.
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