ORTIGAS, PASIG—The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) stated in a press conference Thursday that peace agreements signed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue as mechanisms to fulfill peace in the Bangsamoro autonomous region.
“The peace agreements, the CAB and the FAB, will remain the cornerstone of peace in the region and offer the best chance of carrying the process forward to a successful conclusion,” the TPMT’s Seventh Public Report reads.
The TPMT, an independent and volunteering entity created in 2013 to monitor the Bangsamoro peace process, released its latest update on the GPH-MILF peace accords, particularly the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) including its Annexes.
Significant accomplishments highlighted
The report covers the period from November 2020 to January 2022 and noted that there is “a steady progress in advancing the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).”
Mr. Heino Marius, a German national who served as TPMT Chair, highlighted key achievements of the agreements such as adoption of Civil Service Code, Education Code, the launch of 3rd round of decommissioning MILF combatants, granting amnesty, and operationalization of Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund.
“As we move towards the extension, we, as TPMT, believe that this is the right time to look at the peace agreements from a broader perspective, to assess what has been achieved and what remains to be done, also in view of new administrations taking over this year,” Marius said.
Marius added that normalization process needs to be accelerated, saying, “while decommissioning of MILF forces is a crucial element of the peace process, there are other steps that need to be taken in parallel for decommissioning to be successful.”
Issues concerning security at 63 towns
Meanwhile, Rahib Kudto, of United Youth for Peace and Development Inc. (UNYPAD), shared the challenges on security concerns, particularly the recent police operations held in BARMM’s Special Geographic Area (SGA), which catapulted questions whether ceasefire protocols signed by the Parties were followed.
“The situation worries the supporters of the peace process, especially the Civil Society Organizations. I believe, we need the establishment of agreed policing as outlined in the peace agreements to ensure better protection of the civilian population in the BARMM,” Kudto said.
“Pending operationalization of the Bangsamoro Police Force in the Bangsamoro, disbandment of Private Armed Groups (PAGs), and the redeployment of the Philippine Armed Forces in the Bangsamoro, the government should ensure that the Moro civilians are protected,” Kudto stressed.
Gaining momentum in the peace process by 2025
Also present at the conference are other three members of TPMT, who also pondered on current status of peace agreement, namely Huseyin Oruç of Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), Rebecca Karen Tañada of Gaston Z Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI), and Sam Chittick from The Asia Foundation (TAF).
Tañada pointed out the need to create a law (on the national level), concerning transitional justice to address issues from the past committed against Moros.
Oruç, on the other hand, said he hopes that “there will be no more delay, do your promises, and implement all signed agreements.”
“There will be a great opportunity for the next national administration to work with all the stakeholders in the Bangsamoro to complete this process, ideally in time for the full election of all regional positions in BARMM by 2025,” said Chittick.
The TPMT held that there cannot be any room for complacency and that the decision to extend Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is also an opportunity for the Parties to reflect on what has been accomplished at the moment, and to adjust and refine the way the process is implemented.
Since its inception, the TPMT has met forty-two times in the country, and will continue to monitor, review, and assess the GPH-MILF peace process until the completion of the Exit Agreement as contemplated in the FAB.
“Their strongest underlying commitment and continued allegiance to letter and spirit of agreements is the best guarantee of success,” TPMT stated.
To see the full TPMT 7th Public Report, visit https://tpmt.ph/
(Datu Norhamidin D. Mamasainged/BIO)
