How has the Mindanao peace process been doing? Particularly, how are the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front implementing the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro?
Overall and before the signing of the fourth and final annex on normalization, the two parties have made “gigantic progress,” although there is a “need for speed,” according to the independent Third Party Monitoring Team, the panel created by the agreement that is mandated to monitor the implementation of the agreement.
“The government and MILF panels have made gigantic progress in completing all four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB),” said Alistair MacDonald, TPMT chairman and former ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines, at a press conference Friday.
After consultations with a wide range of stakeholders in September and December, TPMT noted the following in its first public report:
- Commitment “It was evident that both parties continued to share the strongest commitment to peace, and are absolutely determined to bring the process to a successful conclusion.”
- ‘Need for speed’ “There was a strong recognition of the ‘need for speed,’ and for the drafting of the Basic Law to be completed as soon as possible in order to allow Congress to commence its deliberations in a timely manner.
- Public info “Many stakeholders underlined the need for deeper public information about the FAB and its implications, and for the parties to strengthen their outreach and public messaging to a wide audience, including local government units, the ulamas and bishops, the business sector, and civil society more widely, and including also information in local languages.”
- Inclusiveness “A number of stakeholders expressed concern about the inclusiveness of the process, and there was a clear desire for the FAB to be something which would be beneficial for all residents of the Bangsamoro.”
The TPMT noted four “key steps” undertaken by both parties since the signing of the agreement in October 2013, or what MacDonald called “some of the greatest steps” and “tremendous work”:
- The signature of the Annexes on Transitional Modalities (February 2013), on Wealth Generation (July 2013), on Power Sharing (December 2013), and on Normalization (January 2014, together with the addendum on Bangsamoro Waters).
- The launching of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in April 2013, and the work being carried forward in drafting the Basic Law.
- The launching of the Independent Commission on Policing in September 2013, to prepare proposals for a new police service for the Bangsamoro.
- The launching of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program in Feburary 2013, providing in coordination with the Transition Commission the government’s initial support for identified MILF combatants, families, and other affected persons and communities.
Why is it important to have peace in Mindanao?
“Much remains to be done,” MacDonald said, among them: the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement (by March 2014), the drafting (by end 2014) and adoption of the Basic Law (by January 2015), and the full implementation of the agreements reached (by July 2016).
Everyone that the panel talked to on the progress in the implementation of the agreement expressed a desire for a “comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable peace in Mindanao,” the panel said.
Why is this so? Because “building a peace…will bring an end to cycles of violence and displacement, and…will allow the tremendous economic, social and cultural potential of Mindanao to come to the fore,” MacDonald said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/81737/how-are-govt-milf-doing-in-peace-process-gigantic-progress-but-need-for-speed---indie-panel
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