AFP sponsors Malaysia tour of 50 Moro youth leaders

The Armed Forces of the Philippines organized an educational tour in Malaysia of 50 Moro youth leaders recently so they could help resolve peace and security issues in their home provinces.

Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said 30 Muslim youth leaders from Lanao del Sur and 20 from Lanao del Norte joined the excursion, part of the AFP’s Muslim youth educational tour, the first of which was held on Nov. 23 to 26, 2016, with youth leaders from Sulu as participants.

Last year’s participants came from Maguindanao. Garcia said the tour was part of an effort to engage the Moro youth’s help in fighting the “threat of extremism and radicalization.” — JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE