Monitoring Team cites draft BBL, Marawi crisis among key development in peace process with MILF

THE Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) in its fourth annual Public Report issued Friday, July 28, cited the still unresolved siege of Marawi City alongside the completion of a new draft Bangsamoro Basic Law as key developments “that greatly impact the peace process,” a statement by the group said also on Friday.

President Rodrigo Duterte (C) poses with Secretary of the Peace Process Jesus Dureza (L), Al-Hajj Murad (2nd L), chairman of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Ghazali Jaafar (2nd R), vice chairman of MILF and Mohagher Iqbal (not pictured), MILF chief negotiator, as they join hands holding a draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) during a ceremony at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on July 17, 2017. / AFP

TPMT was formally established in 2013 by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to monitor the implementation of the GPH-MILF peace agreement, as provided for in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed on 15 October 2012.

International TPMT member Huseyin Oruc said “the period of transition from the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III to that of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has seen some continuity but also change in the roadmap for implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“Despite the failure of the 16th Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) , the first year under the new administration began with optimism for peace as President Duterte had reiterated his campaign promise to bring peace to Mindanao and support the BBL,” Mr. Oruc added.

Local TPMT member Mr. Rahib Kudto noted other key developments in the peace process, including the Duterte administration’s new two-track approach in the legislation of both the Bangsamoro Basic Law and federalism, as well as efforts on greater inclusivity and convergence that includes various Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) groups like the one led by Nur Misuari.

Mr. Kudto cited the need to pass a CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro)-complaint BBL that will reflect the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

“The failure to pass the BBL in the previous administration deepened frustration among the people and more youths became attracted to violent extremism, leading to the rise of terrorist groups like the Maute group. Another failure to pass this important legislation could mean worse for the peace process and the already volatile situation in Mindanao,” the statement said.

For her part, TPMT local member Karen Tañada said in the statement that, “with the positive developments as well as threats, the peace process could be on the verge of a breakthrough, on condition that the twin challenges of completing BBL legislation, and combating violent extremism, can be effectively addressed.”

“As the fighting subsides, it should be clear that a comprehensive approach that addresses the Bangsamoro aspirations by installing a Bangsamoro government exercising the fullest autonomy is the path to sustainable peace,” she pointed out.