Bangsamoro Peace Process Faces Critical Challenges
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Bangsamoro peace process has reached a perilous juncture, the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) cautioned, signaling a serious threat to the progress made since the 2014 peace agreement. This warning comes amid growing distrust between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), particularly following the MILF’s suspension of the final phase of combatant and weapon decommissioning.
Chaired by former European Union diplomat Heino Marius, the TPMT highlighted that this breakdown in trust has triggered a significant deterioration in bilateral engagement between the parties. “Trust among the Parties is at an all-time low since signature of the CAB,” the team stated, referring to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Urgent Call to Restore Trust and Dialogue
Officials emphasized that rebuilding trust is now essential to keep the peace process on track. They urged both sides to engage in constructive dialogue and reaffirm their commitment to the genuine autonomy of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the transition phase draws to a close.
“We urge the Parties to engage in constructive dialogue. As the transition phase concludes, we must reinforce commitment to the genuine autonomy of the BARMM,” the TPMT declared. The team also stressed the importance of frank and open discussions to resolve existing differences, especially focusing on the normalization track, which includes the crucial decommissioning of combatants and weapons.
TPMT’s Role and Unusual Statement Amid Crisis
Typically, the TPMT monitors, reviews, and assesses the implementation of the CAB and releases an annual public report on its findings. However, due to the current challenges, the team broke tradition by issuing an urgent statement addressing the emerging issues in the peace process.
Community members noted that despite the impasse, both parties have affirmed their continued commitment to implementing the CAB. The TPMT urged that this commitment must be nurtured not only in words but through effective cooperation and partnership to overcome the existing stalemate.
Peace Process Transforming BARMM Governance
The TPMT acknowledged how the peace process has fundamentally transformed the BARMM, laying a strong foundation for effective governance. It highlighted the upcoming first-ever regional parliamentary election scheduled for October 13 as a historic milestone and a magnificent achievement for the Bangsamoro people, marking the completion of the political track of the CAB.
TPMT Composition and Continued Oversight
Aside from Heino Marius, the TPMT includes members such as Karen Tañada from the Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute, Rahib Kudto of United Youth for Peace and Development, Huseyin Oruc representing the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation, and Sam Chittick of The Asia Foundation. Together, they continue to monitor the peace process closely amid these challenging times.
For more news and updates on Bangsamoro peace process, visit Filipinokami.com.
