DAVAO CITY, Sep. 25 — Representatives of international donor countries expressed optimism that the Bangsamoro peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would succeed despite tough challenges, such as the slow progress in the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity and sporadic violence in the area.
During the Security Summit held in Davao City on Monday, international observers noted that the peace and order situation and the economic condition of Mindanao have improved, albeit slowly, since the Philippine government and the MILF agreed on a formal ceasefire in 1997.
The Security Summit sponsored by The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Conciliation Resources was attended by Australian First Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Warren Hoye; members of the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC), a body created by the GPH and MILF peace panels to coordinate the processes and mechanisms of the Normalization Program as part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro; the ceasefire mechanisms which include the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities; International Decommissioning Body (IDB) which oversees the decommissioning process of the MILF; international donor agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs).
In his speech before the participants of the Security Summit, Hoye said the Australian government is satisfied with the positive impact of the peace process on the lives of Mindanaoans.
“Since the ceasefire between the government of the Philippines and the MILF has been in place, we have seen marked reduction in violent incidents, with the exception of the all-out war in 2000 and after the MOA-AD decision in 2008,” Hoye said.
“We have also seen increasing investments in the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) in recent years so we have seen peace bring an improvement in security which has allowed development,” he added.
Hoye reiterated that the Australian government remains steadfast in its support to the peace process and for the development in the ARMM and the Bangsamoro.
He said that after many decades of violence and conflict in Mindanao, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) offers the basis of a durable political settlement for the people of Mindanao and the Philippines.
“There is some uncertainty around BBL (passage) at present, but we shouldn’t let this threaten the benefits which have accrued to date through peace and security.”
He added that Australia remains a strong supporter of peace in Mindanao and would like to see lasting peace and stability in the south to allow development and prosperity to take root in the region.
Meanwhile, Kristian Herbolzheimer, programme director of Conciliation Resources for the Philippines and Colombia, said the Mindanao peace process is now the main reference beside prior major peace agreements in Nepal, Sudan and the Northern Ireland by groups and peoples whose efforts are focused on ending conflicts worldwide.
“The world is watching what happens in Mindanao,” Herbolzheimer said.
“This is to say that what you are doing now is not only important for Mindanao, for the Bangsamoro, for the Philippines, it’s a reference for the rest of the world,” he added.
Herbolzheimer explained that military officers and civil society groups in Colombia regularly request him to share developments in the Mindanao peace process, particularly on issues related to security and normalization, and the role of civil society in enforcing and implementing these important facets in a peace process.
“We do know that security is the most valued peace dividend for people who live in conflict affected areas,” he added.
Herbolzheimer urged the summit’s participants to identify “how we can play complementary roles in order for all of us to deliver our common goal which is better security, for the communities and the Bangsamoro.”
Retired Maj. Gen. Leo Cresente M. Ferrer, a member of the JNC representing the Philippine government, said civil society should play an active role in enforcing the peace agreement and pressuring the government and the MILF to follow their commitments.
Ferrer noted that there are four components of the program for normalization in the Bangsamoro, namely the security aspect, which includes policing and transitional security arrangements, the decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons, redeployment of AFP units and troops, and disbandment of private armed groups (PAGs); socio-economic development; transitional justice and reconciliation; and confidence-building measures.
Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, also a JNC member and representing the MILF, said they are open for collaboration with civil society partners, citing CSO contributions in the milestones of the Bangsamoro peace process.
The Security Summit with the JNC was spearheaded by TAF and the Conciliation Resources to provide a venue for the JNC to introduce its mandate and activities, for all organizations working on security to present their activities and plans as well as provide a platform for increased coordination and collaboration between JNC and civil society organizations working on security-related issues. (OPAPP)