Gov’t panel briefs monitoring team on Bangsamoro framework

DAVAO -- For the first time, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel convened the full contingent of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to brief them on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The 55-member IMT is tasked to monitor the ceasefire, humanitarian, rehabilitation and socio-economic agreements between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The government has reached a “framework agreement” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that would pave the way for lasting peace in Mindanao in October last year.

President Benigno Aquino III had described the deal in a nationally televised announcement as a road map for establishing a new autonomous region to be administered by minority Muslims in Mindanao. This new political entity will be called “Bangsamoro.”

Member-countries of the IMT are Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Libya and Norway. In addition, the European Union has two persons. Four non-government organizations (NGOs) also sit in the Civilian Protection Component of the IMT.

IMT-7 head of mission Dato' Abdul Rahim Bin Mohd Yusoff vowed "that the IMT will continue to work in sustaining the ceasefire and security of the current GPH-MILF peace process."

GPH peace panel members Secretary Senen Bacani and Yasmin Busran led the recent briefing held at the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao.

"With you on the ground and as one of our great partners in committing peace, I think it is very important that you should be kept updated on what's happening in the peace talks," peace panel member Yasmin Busran-Lao said, acknowledging that since its establishment in 2004, the IMT has efficiently helped in the significant decrease of recorded ceasefire violations between the GPH and MILF.

Bacani also urged the IMT members to continue to work with the negotiating panels to reach a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

"We have to work together in this because the end goal is the same. The government as well as the MILF, together with all the peoples of Bangsamoro, want a just and lasting peace," Bacani said.

"There will be deliberate efforts made in that regard so that hopefully the final product, will have ownership of all of the governed," he added, explaining further that many of the details will have to be done after due consultations with the stakeholders.

"Whatever inputs they may have, the result will embody the true aspirations of the Bangsamoro," Bacani said.

The panel members said the negotiating panels will be working out the remaining issues in the next round of talks in Kuala Lumpur this month.

The IMT operates in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga-Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)