14 December 2020
Press Release
Third-Party Monitoring Team issues its Sixth Public Report
Analyses developments during the last 18 months of the Bangsamoro peace process.
The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), formally established in 2013 with a mandate to monitor and review implementation of the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), today issued its 6th Public Report.
In its Report, which covers the period from March 2019 to October 2020, the TPMT notes significant progress in establishing the Bangsamoro as an autonomous political entity. The appointment of members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament, the formation of a BARMM Cabinet, the establishment of the Inter-Governmental Relations Body, and the passage of the Bangsamoro Administrative Code are of particular importance in this respect.
The report highlights that a political transition such as the one in the Bangsamoro requires commitment from a wide range of actors. The generally smooth way in which the peace process has evolved is to be commended and should not be taken for granted. Much has been achieved of which the whole country can be proud. Despite continued local conflicts, peace in the region is holding and the foundations for meaningful self-governance in the Bangsamoro under a parliamentary form of government have been laid.
This achievement is all the more significant as it has become clear that the Covid-19 pandemic is placing a heavy burden on the transition from ARMM to BARMM. As a result some elements of the peace process will require more time to complete than originally anticipated.
It is a positive development that collaboration between the National Government and BARMM through the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) have picked up considerable momentum. The TPMT welcomes the momentum in the IGRB, as it is an important role in resolving outstanding issues, and the momentum reflects the determination of both National and BARMM governments to cooperate with each other in a spirit of mutual respect. In order to further increase confidence between the two levels of government it will be important to prioritize completing overdue administrative steps, including the formal inclusion of Cotabato City into the BARMM, the comprehensive, direct and automatic appropriation and release of the annual block grant.
The political track and the normalization track of the peace process go hand-in-hand, and reinforce each other. It is in this context that the TPMT notes with concern that certain aspects to ensure human security in the Bangsamoro under the normalization track are behind schedule. The third round of decommissioning of MILF forces, which was tentatively scheduled to commence by July 2020, has not yet been launched, and the full range of the package of benefits to decommissioned former combatants still needs to be clarified. In respect of policing, the TPMT suggests for the two parties to further consider how to fulfill the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) as well as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Other elements requiring attention due to slow progress include transformation of MILF camps, amnesty for MILF members, redeployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), disbandment of Private Armed Groups (PAGs) within BARMM, as well as transitional justice and reconciliation.
The rehabilitation of Marawi City is proceeding at a very slow pace, and return of citizens to the most-affected areas needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
All things considered, the TPMT is encouraged to note that the peace process is fundamentally on track.In view of the delays imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic it is all the more important that both parties continue to demonstrate a high level of commitment and a spirit of continuity to bring the peace process to a successful conclusion.
Looking forward, the TPMT recommends to continue the momentum in the implementation of the peace process by:
- Completing work on the priority legislation for the BTA, to create the foundations of governance for the BARMM;
- Completing the administrative transfer of Cotabato City including offices of the National Government into the BARMM as per the plebiscite results;
- Addressing the issue of socioeconomic support for decommissioned combatants and their families as a necessary condition for their transition to civilian life;
- Putting the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) into operation as quickly as possible, specifically for the provision of socioeconomic development programs and the transformation of MILF camps;
- Reducing the gap in perspectives between the two parties in the field of policing;
- Further expanding the network of Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) and rendering them fully functional towards ensuring peace and order in communities with a sensitive security environment.
The full TPMT 6th Public Report can be accessed at www.tpmt.ph
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 GPH-MILF peace agreement, as provided for in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed on 15 October 2012.
The TMPT has five members: Heino Marius (Chair), Karen Tañada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute), Rahib Kudto (UNYPAD), Huseyin Oruc (IHH), and Sam Chittick (Asia Foundation).
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 thirty-nine times in the Philippines, on a roughly two-monthly basis, and will continue its work through until the completion of the Exit Agreement as per the FAB.
Contact: Karen Tañada
TPMT Member (Manila)
Contact: Rahib Kudto
TPMT Member (Mindanao)