DAVAO CITY—The independent Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) presented the recent updates on the Government of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF) peace agreements during its 8th Public Report Release at Dusit Thani Residence in Davao City on November 23.
The report highlights the political and normalization tracks of the Bangsamoro peace process, covering February 2022 to October 2023.
Launched in 2013, the TPMT oversees the implementation of the peace treaties signed by the National Government and the MILF, including the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) with its annexes, which promote transparency and peace advancements in the Bangsamoro region and throughout the country.
TPMT Chairperson Heino Marius stated that CAB is a unique form of an autonomous political entity, reflecting the distinct cultural identity of the Bangsamoro.
He explained that the political track of the Bangsamoro peace process is at 50% completion, which includes the adoption of priority codes by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament and the seven Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) mechanisms.
Marius emphasized the need to focus its efforts on the normalization track as the transition period nears its end.
Significant interventions within the normalization track include discussions on decommissioning former combatants, dismantling private armed groups (PAGs), and renewing the Presidential Proclamation on amnesty, among other measures.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. granted amnesty to the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on November 24 this year through Proclamation Nos. 405 and 406, consequential to the full implementation of the normalization track under the CAB.
Marius shared his observations, particularly on public order and safety in the Bangsamoro region.
“The signing of the agreement has brought peace to BARMM. The low ceasefire violations between the two parties are a positive sign that this peace is taking hold,” he added.
Marius emphasized the role of continued commitment from both the GPH and MILF in fully implementing peace agreements. He said this commitment paves the way for successfully concluding the Bangsamoro peace process.
The FAB specifies that TMPT will operate until the Exit Agreement is finalized.
Sustaining and improving peace, justice, and security across the BARMM aligns with the 11th priority under the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (BIO/PIA Lanao del Sur)
