Moro Islamic Liberation Front urges gov’t to fulfill normalization components amid BIAF decommissioning

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 2, 2023): Moro Islamic Liberation Front urges gov’t to fulfill normalization components amid BIAF decommissioning (By KEITH BACONGCO)

DAVAO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has urged the government to fulfill other components of normalization amid the ongoing decommissioning process of its armed wing Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front  recently issued the statement ahead of the resumption of the third phase of the decommissioning of 1,301 combatants on August 3.

“The decommissioning of the remaining 1,301 combatants under Phase 3 on August 3, 2023 is merely the profiling of the combatants and possibly their receipt of the cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  said.

However, the group further pointed out that the decommissioning is the whole process of transforming the lives of combatants so that they become productive civilians. “We look forward to other interventions that would make this possible. Same is true for those who have been decommissioned since 2015.”

But for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front , the mere disarming of its fighters, through the decommissioning process, will not result in peace and stability if other components of the normalization process will not be fulfilled as well.

“The other components include the disbandment of private armed groups, transitional justice, amnesty, the transformation of six acknowledge Moro Islamic Liberation Front  camps into productive communities, and socio-economic programs, among others,” it added.

The decommissioning of MILF fighters is part of the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the peace agreement between the government and the MILF signed in March 27, 2014 after 17 years of peace negotiations.

First phase of the decommissioning process took place in 2015 following the signing of the CAB with 145 fighters processed and turned over 75 high-powered firearms in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

Four years later, the second phase commenced in the same town but it was completed in March 2020 with the decommissioning of about 12,000 MILF combatants, 2,100 assorted weapons, and at least 500 rounds of ammunition.

The third phase started in November 2021 with 14,000 MILF combatants, or 35 percent of its forces, and about 2,500 weapons had been decommissioned.

Recently, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) is expected to complete the decommissioning process before the first election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2025.

As stated in the CAB, the decommissioning of the MILF fighters is supervised by the IDB, which is composed of international and local experts. The IDB will be responsible for putting these firearms beyond use.

“Thus, the successful completion of decommissioning in the future hinges and depends on the parallel and commensurate implementation of the other aspects of normalization. Normalization is not a buffet where parties can choose what they want and disregard others,” the MILF said.

Sources from the MILF communities told Manila Bulletin that many of its former combatants have yet to receive their livelihood assistance package.

“Our neighbor here, who is a seasoned MILF fighter in his 70s, was among the second batch of fighters who were decommissioned about three years ago. Sadly, until now, he has yet to receive his livelihood package,” said a Moro community leader who runs a farmers' organization in North Cotabato.

He added they are assisting some of the former fighters who are now into farming while waiting for livelihood assistance from the government.

The Moro community leader emphasized that the decommissioning of combatants is not just about disarming. “I hope the government will fulfill its promise to help these former combatants in transforming their lives,” he said.

"To dream of the complete decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons while leaving the other aspects of normalization unfulfilled and unimplemented will not result in peace. Such premature decommissioning weakens the capacity of the MILF to deliver its commitments. Peace partners should not undermine but instead strengthen each other,” the MILF added.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/2/milf-urges-gov-t-to-fulfill-normalization-components-amid-biaf-decommissioning