PASIG CITY—–“Government will honor and fully comply with its remaining deliverables under these agreements,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., remarked, as he emphasized his administration’s steadfast commitment in fulfilling the national government’s commitments under all signed peace agreements with non-state armed groups during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), on Monday, July 22.
President Marcos Jr. cited the gains achieved by the government under the comprehensive Philippine peace process, saying, “The implementation of peace agreements is now in its concluding phase.”
The Government of the Philippines has signed peace agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group (RPMP-RPA-ABB) or KAPATIRAN, and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA).
“Former combatants now live peaceful and productive lives in their respective communities. Some of our former rebels are now absorbed into the Armed Forces of the Philippines, serving in the defense of our Republic; while others are now part of the Philippine National Police Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” the President noted.
The Chief Executive also commended the Bangsamoro government in pushing forward economic development in the region, pointing out that, “In such a short period, the BARMM has impressively established the strong foundation for its progressive autonomous social development.”
“Investments continue to pour into the BAR. Last year, investments in the region increased by one hundred forty percent year-on-year,” he said.
“The improved peace and order situation, good governance—not to mention high hopes and confidence amongst its people—all contribute to the reasons why BARMM’s poverty index has significantly decreased since 2018,” the President added.
According to data from the Bangsamoro Board of Investments, the BARMM has attracted a total of P3.1 billion in investments in the third quarter of 2023 that generated 1,927 job opportunities for residents.
Strong synergy between National, BARMM governments
The President provided updates on the initiatives that were carried out by the Inter-governmental Relations Body (IGRB), which provides a platform for the National and Bangsamoro governments to address key issues and concerns.
“As of today, all seven inter-governmental mechanisms of the BARMM, as mandated under the Organic Law, have been organized and activated,” he said.
“These will guarantee effective and constant consultation between the Bangsamoro and the National Governments in the fundamental aspects of governance,” the President explained.
Under Section 2, Article VI of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the IGRB was created to coordinate and resolve key issues between the two parties through regular consultation and continuing negotiation in a non-adversarial manner.
According to President Marcos Jr., the BARMM government has made significant progress in passing priority legislative measures.
“Five out of the seven essential laws for the BARMM have already been enacted by the BTA Parliament. Now, it has its own Administrative Code, Local Government Code, Election Code, and those for Education and the Civil Service,” he reported.
Ready for 2025 BARMM elections
The President is optimistic that the upcoming first regular BARMM elections in 2025 will be a success.
“With these inspiring developments, the BARMM appears primed and ready for its first regular elections in 2025,” he said.
During the 17th IGRB meeting held in February of this year, President Marcos Jr. challenged the Bangsamoro government to make this first election a success, as he urged its leadership to “Show the whole world that it is peaceful and credible.”
Comprehensive Transformation Program
President Marcos Jr. also highlighted the “zero presence” of active guerrilla fronts in the country.
“We have come a long way with our quest for a lasting and an inclusive peace. No guerrilla front remained active across our country today. Only seven weakened groups remain to be dismantled and they are the subject of focused operations,” the President said.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), which co-leads the Localized Peace Engagements (LPE) cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), has been focusing on the implementation of the LPE and its Transformation Program.
The Transformation Program framework aims to holistically address the needs of former rebels, their families and communities in focus areas nationwide.
The mainstreaming phases LPE, which includes capacity-building, family-based approach for community consultations, and local peace dialogues with the CPP-NPA-NDF, shall be carried out in targeted CPP-NPA-NDF affected provinces with the goal of reaching a peaceful settlement with the former rebels.
The Transformation Program, on the other hand, has four components: security, socio-economic assistance, social healing and reconciliation, and confidence-building measures
“But along with the assertion of government might, we also offer peace and community development, and reintegration programs to those who have returned to the fold of the law. Through a comprehensive and transformative approach, we have rebuilt not only lives but also conflict affected communities,” President Marcos underscored.
To date, 33 Transformation Plans have been crafted, which shall be integrated into the provincial local governments’ unit development plans and eventually form part of their priorities and regular implementation.
These provinces include Kalinga, Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Negros Occidental, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao Del Norte, Davao De Oro, Davao Oriental, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Albay, Catanduanes, Misamis Occidental, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Misamis Oriental, Agusan Del Sur, Batangas andRizal.
Partnerships have also been forged with eight pilot provinces for the establishment of Provincial Peace Centers, namely Aurora, Masbate, Negros Occidental, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, South Cotabato, Northern Samar, Aurora, and Zamboanga del Sur. The government, through the OPAPRU, has provided P5 Million pesos to each of these provinces to jumpstart the operations of their respective peace centers.
Amnesty in full swing under Marcos admin
On Nov. 22, 2023, President Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 404 granting amnesty to members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB, CPP-NPA-NDF, MILF and MNLF, respectively.
After the issuance of the said proclamations, the House of Representatives, on Dec. 15 of last year, approved four House Concurrent Resolutions (HCR) that granted amnesty to members of these revolutionary groups.
As contained under Section 19, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, the President shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all members of Congress.
“In November last year, we signed Proclamations granting amnesty to FRs. A month later and June this year, the HoR and Senate issued their respective resolutions concurring to these amnesty proclamations,” President Marcos said.
“That Congress is one with us is a testament to the whole nation’s sincere desire for peace,” he added.
The granting of amnesty is among the main confidence-building measures under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) local peace engagement framework, Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), Transformation Program for MNLF members, as well as the clarificatory implementing document signed between the national government and the RPMP-RPA-ABB or KAPATIRAN.
As of July 23 this year, 696 individuals have filed for amnesty, a majority of whom are former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
PBBM’s recognition of the value of the peace process
“We have a President who understands and values the importance of pushing forward and building on the gains of the comprehensive peace process. He just showed in this 2024 SONA his determination to fully implement all signed peace agreements,” Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said in reaction to President Marcos Jr.’s SONA.
“The President proudly highlighted the major peace gains as a result of the government’s resolute commitment to usher a just and lasting peace in the country. And it is worth noting that he dedicated almost 20 paragraphs in the SONA on his administration’s peacebuilding efforts,” he added.
Galvez noted that these peace dividends have been made possible through the unwavering support and commitment of all Filipinos.
“Sustaining the gains of the peace process is a responsibility that is shared by the government and all sectors of society,” he stressed.
Galvez urged all Filipino to do their part so that peace in the country would reign supreme, saying, “Everyone is part of this wonderful journey and no one should be left behind. We all have roles to play, no matter how big or small, to bring genuine peace, development and prosperity in the country.”
The President emphasized that “Lessons from history and current events teach us that peace and order are essential ingredients towards achieving genuine prosperity and social development.”
“This is the path that we choose to take. Despite difficulties, despite our diversity and differences as a people, we are bound by a common history, and have constantly invested our energies and resources in strengthening the foundations of peace,” he said. ###
