SULTAN KUDARAT, MAGUINDANAO (27 September 2022) — The Bangsamoro peace process continues to gain momentum under the Marcos Administration’s banner of unity, as the third phase of the decommissioning process of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members resumed here on Tuesday.

Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Floirendo Lagdameo, Jr., as represented by OSAP Undersecretary Joahna Paula A. Domingo, affirmed his support to peace and development in the Bangsamoro region.

“Rest assured that the Government of the Philippines is committed to tread the same path towards genuine peace, reconciliation and development in the BARMM. The Government of the Philippines, together with the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, shall work alongside you in helping the MILF and its members normalize and transform into a sociopolitical organization,” he said.

Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) Chairman and Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Idem Akay committed to ensure the smooth conduct of the decommissioning process.

“The IDB ensures that the decommissioning process will be dealt with utmost professionalism, integrity and confidentiality. We have established necessary methodologies to ensure that our work will be done effectively and efficiently,” Akay said.

“We are working closely with the different normalization mechanisms to make this happen, and together, we hope that this will open the doors for transition and [a] new life for combatants,” he added.

For his part, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim described the event as a testament to the “continued mutual confidence, trust and commitment of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to the Bangsamoro peace process.”

“While both parties and other stakeholders call it the third phase of the decommissioning process. But allow me to call it the transformative phase. This signifies a new, brighter beginning for our combatants, as they integrate themselves into progressive mainstream communities,” he added.

With the recent milestones achieved under the political track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Implementing Panel is committed to accelerate the implementation of the Normalization Track of the CAB.

“Now, we are accelerating the implementation of the normalization track. As we strengthen the systems of governance in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), there’s a need for us to make sure that our former combatants are able to enjoy the dividends of economic growth,” GPH Implementing Panel Chair David B. Diciano said in his message.

According to MILF Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, the Bangsamoro peace process continues to move forward.

“Today, we witness the acknowledgement of the Government of the Philippines and the MILF that the peace process is moving and the Marcos administration puts premium to the gains we have achieved through the years,” Iqbal said.

The MILF leader likewise thanked Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. for the leadership he has shown in shepherding the Bangsamoro peace process amidst the many challenges in its implementation.

“We likewise thank Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr. who has never left our side, whose leadership we strongly respect, and whose partnership we fondly treasure. In the midst of the crippling pandemic, natural disasters, we have risen above the challenges and together brave the elements of adversity,” Iqbal said.

“Our formidable partnership brought us here today for the third phase of the decommissioning which is part of the normalization process, he added.

For his part, Galvez expressed gratitude to the Government and MILF Implementing Panels for their steadfast commitment to “implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and for continuously making strides as a proof that the gains of the peace process are now being felt by the Bangsamoro people.”

Galvez also lauded the IDB for the successful resumption of the Phase 3 decommissioning, saying, “We commend the Independent Decommissioning Body for their sterling performance in helping our Moro brothers and sisters put their weapons beyond use.”

Phase 3 decommissioning

The decommissioning process is among the key provisions of the Annex on Normalization of the CAB, the peace agreement forged between the government and MILF in 2014, which aims to help former MILF combatants make the successful transition to civilian life.

A total of 14,000 combatants are targeted to be decommissioned under the phase 3 decommissioning process. At least 7,200 have been decommissioned under the first batch of phase 3 which started last November 8, 2021.

At least 5,500 combatants are scheduled to be decommissioned under phase 3 until the end of 2022.

Since the start of decommissioning in 2015, a total of 19,345 MILF combatants have successfully undergone the process, while 2,175 weapons were put beyond use.

The first phase of decommissioning was held in 2015 wherein 145 MILF members and 75 of their weapons were decommissioned. The second phase was held in 2019 which saw the decommissioning of 12,000 MILF-BIAF members and 2,100 of their weapons.

The decommissioning process is being handled by the IDB, which was created by the GPH and MILF negotiating panels as part of the Annex on Normalization of the CAB.

It is composed of representatives from the Governments of Turkey, Norway, Kingdom of Brunei, as well as local experts nominated by the GPH and MILF peace panels. ###