President Duterte on Monday approved an executive order that would hasten the process of normalization following the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
“The Chief Executive, during the Cabinet meeting (on Monday), approved the proposed executive order on the implementation of the annex on the normalization under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which was led by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unification Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.,” Panelo said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
“Anything that is contributory to the goal of peace in the place, we will do it … This will help in the transition government,” the Palace official said.
The President approved the directive on the implementation of normalization a week after the Bangsamoro Transition Authority took over the BARMM, which it will govern until the 2022 elections.
Gradual decommissioning
The annex on normalization deals with the gradual decommissioning of the armed components of the MILF “so they are put beyond use,” and specifies steps in disarming private armies in the BARMM.
It also includes activities to help the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) members transition to a productive civilian life.
The annex on normalization is the last of four annexes to the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro, which was crafted with the MILF in 2014.
Other annexes provide for power-sharing, transitional modalities and revenue generation, and wealth-sharing.
Panelo noted that the MILF agreed to be subjected to the decommissioning process as part of its peace deal with the government.
“They really want peace too. They don’t want strife. Who wants fighting anyway?” he said.
Bangsamoro police force
An independent body will monitor the process of decommissioning of the MILF and its weapons. It will conduct an inventory, verification and validation of the BIAF members, their arms and weapons, and schedule the decommissioning of the forces.
The annex on normalization also provides that the law enforcement and maintenance of peace and order in the Bangsamoro will be the primary function of the Bangsamoro police force.
The military will only retain certain installations necessary for national defense and security.
In addition, the annex provides for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the Bangsamoro region, with programs created for transitional justice to address the grievances of the Bangsamoro people as well as human rights violations and correct historical injustices.