A task force is being organized by the government for the disbandment of Private Armed Groups (PAGs) in the proposed Bangsamoro and adjacent regions while civil society organizations (CSOs) have been urged to form “pressure groups” to help ensure a peaceful process.
The dismantling of PAGs is included in the eight phases of the normalization process under the Framework Agreement of the Bangsamoro, which serves as the foundation for the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
On Sept. 8, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. issued Memorandum Circular No. 83 creating the National Task Force for the disbandment of private armies in the areas covered by the proposed Bangsamoro and the surrounding Regions 9 to 12 (Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and Davao).
Section 24, Article XVIII of the 1987 Constitution also mandates the dismantling of private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authorities.
The organizational process for the task force is in progress and may be operational by October, said Maj. Gen. Leo Cresente M. Ferrer, a government panel member of the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) during the Security Summit held in the city Monday.
“We need your help. We need pressure groups so the disbandment will not turn bloody, will be peaceful,” he told representatives of Mindanao-based CSOs during the forum.
Section 24, Article XVIII of the 1987 Constitution also mandates the dismantling of private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authorities.
“The Annex on Normalization is an integral part of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. It aims to ensure human security of the Bangsamoro,” Mr. Ferrer said.
Kristian Herbolzheimer, program director for the Philippines and Colombia of nongovernment organization Conciliation Resources, said the Mindanao peace process has become a “reference for people finding peace.”
“The rest of the world is watching you. This is not to scare you but to encourage you,” Mr. Herbolzhemeir told the summit participants.
“Many peace process fail at exactly this stage where the Philippines is now after signing the peace process agreement,” he also noted.
The CSO representatives, meanwhile, expressed the need for a more defined and institutionalized role for them within the government’s program for achieving and maintaining peace in Mindanao’s conflict areas.
Section 24, Article XVIII of the 1987 Constitution also mandates the dismantling of private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authorities.
The organizational process for the task force is in progress and may be operational by October, said Maj. Gen. Leo Cresente M. Ferrer, a government panel member of the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) during the Security Summit held in the city Monday.
“We need your help. We need pressure groups so the disbandment will not turn bloody, will be peaceful,” he told representatives of Mindanao-based CSOs during the forum.
Section 24, Article XVIII of the 1987 Constitution also mandates the dismantling of private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authorities.
“The Annex on Normalization is an integral part of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. It aims to ensure human security of the Bangsamoro,” Mr. Ferrer said.
Kristian Herbolzheimer, program director for the Philippines and Colombia of nongovernment organization Conciliation Resources, said the Mindanao peace process has become a “reference for people finding peace.”
“The rest of the world is watching you. This is not to scare you but to encourage you,” Mr. Herbolzhemeir told the summit participants.
“Many peace process fail at exactly this stage where the Philippines is now after signing the peace process agreement,” he also noted.
The CSO representatives, meanwhile, expressed the need for a more defined and institutionalized role for them within the government’s program for achieving and maintaining peace in Mindanao’s conflict areas.
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