28 July 2017
Contact:
Karen Tañada
TPMT Member
tpmt.tanada@gmail.com
Press Release
Third-Party Monitoring Team issues its fourth annual Public Report: Notes developments during the transition from the Aquino to the Duterte administration, and highlights the need to legislate a CAB-compliant Bangsamoro Basic Law to combat violent extremism and attain sustainable peace.
The Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), formally established in 2013 as part of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, today issued its fourth annual Public Report.
International TPMT member Huseyin Oruc said that “the period of transition from the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III to that of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has seen some continuity but also change in the roadmap for implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). Despite the failure of the 16th Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the first year under the new administration began with optimism for peace as President Duterte had reiterated his campaign promise to bring peace to Mindanao and support the BBL.”
Mr. Oruc cited the two most important developments in the past year that greatly impact the peace process. One, the positive development of the completed drafting by the expanded and more inclusive Bangsamoro Transition Commission of a draft BBL, which was submitted in time for the President’s State of the Nation Address and cited as a priority bill both by the House of Representatives and for the Senate; and two, the recent and still ongoing tragic crisis in Marawi, that manifests the growing threat of violent extremism.
Local TPMT member Mr. Rahib Kudto noted other key developments in the peace process, including the Duterte administration’s new two-track approach in the legislation of both the Bangsamoro Basic Law and Federalism, as well as efforts on greater inclusivity and convergence that includes various MNLF groups like the one led by Nur Misuari.
Nevertheless, Mr. Kudto stressed the need to pass a CAB-complaint BBL that will reflect the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. The failure to pass the BBL in the previous administration deepened frustration among the people and more youths became attracted to violent extremism, leading to the rise of terrorist groups like the Maute group. Another failure to pass this important legislation could mean worse for the peace process and the already volatile situation in Mindanao.
Another TPMT local member Karen Ta ñada concluded that “with the positive developments as well as threats, the peace process could be on the verge of a breakthrough, on condition that the twin challenges of completing BBL legislation, and combating violent extremism, can be effectively addressed.” She added that the TPMT remains confident that peace can be attained, as the dire situation in Marawi highlights how the Philippines cannot afford to ignore the costs of conflict.
“As the fighting subsides, it should be clear that a comprehensive approach that addresses the Bangsamoro aspirations by installing a Bangsamoro government exercising the fullest autonomy is the path to sustainable peace,” she pointed out.
Tañada stressed that “the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which is the product of 17 years of difficult negotiation as the other form of struggle for self-determination, remains the cornerstone of peace.”
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Background
The independent Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) was set up by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to monitor the implementation of the GPHMILF peace agreement, as provided for in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed on 15 October 2012.
The TMPT is supposed to have at least five members (two nominated by the GPH, two by the MILF, and a jointly-nominated Chair). Currently, there are four members: the local members are Karen Tañada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute) and Rahib Kudto (UNYPAD), the international member is Huseyin Oruc (IHH) and the Chair is Alistair MacDonald (former EU Ambassador to the Philippines, now retired). Former international member Steven Rood (The Asia Foundation) left the TPMT in February 2017, and the Government Panel has yet to nominate his replacement (to be agreed by the MILF).
The TPMT is tasked with monitoring, reviewing and assessing the implementation of all signed agreements between the Parties, primarily the FAB and its Annexes. In particular, its basic functions are to :
– monitor and evaluate the implementation of all agreements;
– review and assess the progress of the implementation of commitments by both Parties under the Agreements (submitting comprehensive periodic reports and updates to both Parties for their appropriate action);
– and to communicate to the public the progress and developments in the implementation of the Agreements of the Parties.
The TPMT was launched in July of 2013, on the basis of the Terms of Reference agreed by the Parties in January of that year. The TPMT has so far convened twenty-three times in the Philippines, on a roughly two-monthly basis, and will continue its work through until the completion of the Exit Document foreseen in the FAB.
The present Public Report is the fourth such report issued by the TPMT (previous reports were issued in February 2014, February 2015 and February 2016).