The peace implementing panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have renewed their commitment to the implementation of the nine-year-old Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Their meeting on July 1 was the first between the two panels during the Marcos administration, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said in a statement over the weekend.
The parties, in a joint statement, signed by GPH Peace Implementing Panel chair, Undersecretary Cesar Yano and MILF Peace Implementing Panel Minister Mohagher Iqbal announced the discussions of at least four key areas.
“First, the Implementing Panels expressed their sympathies to the bereaved families of seven MILF members who were killed during a law enforcement operation in Brgy. Damawato, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur on 18 June 2023. “ the statement said.
The Implementing Panels sincerely thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., for swiftly directing the Department of Justice to conduct investigations on the aforementioned incident. The MILF Implementing Panel reiterated the indispensability of a separate inquiry by an independent body to bolster confidence in the findings,” it added.
Secondly, the parties discussed and agreed to further study the proposals for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Redeployment Parameters and Areas for the Joint Security Assessment, Transition Plan for the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs), and the Integrated Framework on the implementation of camps transformation program for the initial 33 barangays of the six previously acknowledged MILF camps.
“Third, recognizing the urgency and centrality of the full implementation of the decommissioning program through the delivery of socioeconomic development packages for the combatants, the Implementing Panels agreed to create a socioeconomic study committee to discuss and recommend for the Panels’ approval the components, implementation framework, and funding strategies for the socioeconomic development packages for the decommissioned combatants and camps transformation. The members from the GPH are Usec. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan (Chair), Usec. Alan A. Tanjusay, and PA David B. Diciano, and from the MILF are Minister. Raissa H. Jajurie (Chair), Min. Aida M. Silongan, and BDG Mohajirin T. Ali,” it added.
Despite challenges in the implementation of the peace process, the parties committed to pursuing the efficient delivery of the other components of the peace agreement.
Both the GPH and the MILF also agreed to intensify resource mobilization to support the implementation of the CAB by engaging with international state and non-state donors who are willing to support the normalization process, subject to appropriate rules and regulations on the acceptance of grants, donation or any form of development assistance.
The modalities for this shall be further discussed by the two parties.
Also, the MILF Implementing Panel also “manifested to the GPH Implementing Panel the former’s intention to pursue the established norm of launching the newly constituted Panels through a meeting in Kuala Lumpur prior to the conduct of any formal meetings, and the revitalization of the International Monitoring Team.”
The GPH Implementing Panel also committed to conveying and elevating both matters to its principal.
Both parties have “expressed their deepest appreciation to and continuing confidence in President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for his full support to the Bangsamoro peace process and his commitment to fulfill the implementation of the peace agreements.”
“The Parties likewise thank PAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. and Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, under whose respective leaderships the implementation of the CAB has progressed, as well as the different agencies of the National Government and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority for their continuing support to the CAB.
The Parties, along with the entire peace mechanisms, reaffirm their commitment to the continued implementation of the CAB and the achievement of just and lasting peace in the Bangsamoro and in the entire country,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Galvez expressed his appreciation to the panels to pursue the peace process in the Bangsamoro.
“The President himself has earlier expressed his unwavering commitment and support to the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreements,” he said.