The Philippine government (GPH) peace panel has assured that
all other components stipulated under the Annex on Normalization of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) will be implemented except for
the decommissioning of weapons.
In a press conference on Thursday, GPH peace panel member
Senen Bacani said that even without the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law
(BBL), the normalization process, which seeks to restore peace and livelihood
in the communities affected by the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao , will still take effect.
“Regardless of what happens, the many other components of
the normalization process will continue,” said Bacani.
The process of normalization involves three main components
including the security aspect, socio-economic development and transitional
justice.
Bacani, however, noted that the security aspect,
particularly the decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces
and weapons, will not be implemented if the BBL is not passed.
“The main problem in case there will be no BBL in this
administration is the decommissioning,” said Bacani.
The next phase of the decommissioning will only take effect
upon the legislation of the new law on the Bangsamoro, as stated in the CAB
peace agreement.
Bacani still ensured that the socio-economic development
programs will be undertaken for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and
development of the Bangsamoro. In particular, socio-economic programs will be
instituted to address the needs of BIAF members, internally displaced persons
(IDPs), and poverty-stricken communities.
Furthermore, transitional justice mechanisms will also be
put in place to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people,
correct historical injustices, and address human rights violations – with the
end in view of healing the wounds of conflict.
For her part, GPH chief negotiator Mirriam Colonel-Ferrer
supplemented Bacani’s claim by stating that most of the components in the annex
on normalization will be administered by the executive branch.
“With or without the BBL, I’m proud to say that through the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, all the mechanisms are in place,”
said Ferrer.
As for the BBL, Ferrer is still urging legislators to pass
the bill before the Congress adjourns on Feb. 5 in preparation for the May
elections. The sessions will then resume by May 23 until June 10.
“If you can do it in February, why wait for May to June?”
said Ferrer.
Ferrer added that as long as the important features of the
BBL, such as the parliamentary system and annual block grant, are preserved
then there will be a significant difference between the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Bangsamoro.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=851689
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