Latest news with #AnnexofNormalization
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
OSAP vows to continue 'peace caravans' despite MILF decommissioning suspension
The Office of the Special Assistant to the President said Monday that the peace caravan project in Bangsamoro would continue despite the suspension of the decommissioning of the remaining combatants and weapons of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a press release, the OSAP emphasized that the project has proven to be very significant in sustaining peace efforts and providing the necessary services to Bangsamoro communities. The OSAP expressed concern that postponing the decommissioning ''would unfairly affect the combatants who are eager to transition to civilian life and access related benefits.'' 'It is unfair and unjust for those who are willing to undergo the decommissioning process, depriving them of their opportunity and right to be transformed into productive, peaceful citizens as envisioned in the CAB,' SAP Antonio Lagdameo Jr. said. The caravans deliver social protection services, livelihood support, health care, civil registration, skills training, and educational assistance, according to the OSAP. This was aimed at complementing the decommissioning process with tangible socioeconomic support. The OSAP also relayed the message of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., affirming the commitment of the government that 'no Filipino shall be left behind,' adding that government services and normalization efforts continue despite the suspension of decommissioning. The MILF had suspended the decommissioning process until the national government complies with the provisions of the Annex of Normalization, which is a component of the peace deal between the two parties in 2014. In a resolution by the central committee, the MILF stated that it would decommission ita remaining 14,000 forces and 2,450 weapons 'only upon the substantial compliance by the government of the Philippines in other tracks of normalization, including the provision of socio-economic package as agreed by the GPH and the MILF peace implementing panels to the 26,145 combatants.' Malacañang ensured that it would discuss thoroughly with concerned parties the decision to halt the decommissioning process. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace sad over MILF decommissioning delay, eyes deeper talks
The Philippine government will discuss thoroughly with concerned parties the decision of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to suspend the decommissioning of its remaining combatants and weapons. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said at a press briefing Friday that the information already reached President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. 'Yes po medyo nakalulungkot po na balita 'yan dahil alam naman po natin na ang gobyerno po ay talagang naglalaan ng pondo para sa magandang kinabukasan ng mga nagnanais na bumalik at magkaroon ng normal na buhay,' Castro said. (Yes, that is sad news since we all know that the government allots funds to provide better future for those combatants who want to go back to their normal lives.) Castro mentioned the forms of aid given to MILF combatants, including the P100,000 cash assistance for each MILF combatant as well as other socio-economic programs. 'So siguro lamang po ay mas kinakailangan pa ng mas lalimang pag-uusap para mas maging maganda ang kahihinatnan nito para rin sa miyembro ng MILF,' she said. (Maybe we just need to have deeper talks to ensure better outcomes for the MILF.) Asked what will be the next course of action on this matter, Castro said, 'Makikipagusap po nang mas masinsinan para po mas maging maganda ang resulta.' (We will have thorough discussions to attain better results.) To recall, the MILF had suspended the decommissioning process until the national government complies with the provisions of the Annex of Normalization, which is a component of the peace deal between the two parties in 2014. In a resolution by the central committee, the MILF stated that it would decommission ita remaining 14,000 forces and 2,450 weapons 'only upon the substantial compliance by the government of the Philippines in other tracks of normalization, including the provision of socio-economic package as agreed by the GPH and the MILF peace implementing panels to the 26,145 combatants.' — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
31-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
MILF defers decommissioning last 14,000 combatants; PH gov't 'dismayed'
The first batch of 225 former combatants of the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) start undergoing a 30-day basic military training on Thursday, August 11, 2019 at the 602nd Brigade in Camp Lucero, Carmen, Cotabato. MARK NAVALES The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has suspended the decommissioning of its remaining combatants and weapons until the national government complies with the provisions of the Annex of Normalization, a component of the peace deal between the two parties in 2014. According to a resolution by its central committee, the MILF will decommission its remaining 14,000 forces and 2,450 weapons "only upon the substantial compliance by the GPH (Government of the Philippines) in other tracks of normalization, including the provision of socio-economic package as agreed by the GPH and MILF Peace Implementing Panels to the 26,145 combatants." The resolution was issued following a meeting on July 19 but was only made public on July 26. It was signed by MILF chairperson Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and MILF Secretary Muhammad Ameen. The Annex of Normalization is integral to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Philippine government and the MILF. It outlines the processes for ensuring human security and allowing communities in Bangsamoro to achieve their desired quality of life. "Whereas, the track on decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons is very important in the normalization process, but so are the other tracks, i.e., policing, redeployment of troops and units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), disbandment of private armed groups (PAGS), socio-economic development, detection and clearance of unexploded ordinances, transitional justice and reconciliation, and the confidence building measures of camps transformation, and amnesty, pardon and other available processes to persons charged with or convicted of crimes connected to the armed conflict in Mindanao," the resolution read. The MILF noted that while 26,145 MILF combatants have been decommissioned, "not a single one has successfully undergone 'transition to productive civilian life.'" "Whereas, to be true to the letter and spirit of the Annex on Normalization, there should be some showing of substantial compliance of the socio-economic interventions for combatants who have been profiled for decommissioning before other combatants are made to undergo the initial steps towards decommissioning," the resolution read. 'Unfair and unjust' For its part, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity's (OPAPRU) Office for Bangsamoro Transformation expressed dismay over MILF's decision to suspend the decommissioning of its combatants, adding that socioeconomic interventions were put in place. "While the CAB was signed in 2014, the GPH and MILF Peace Implementing Panels only approved the Socioeconomic Package Framework for the MILF decommissioned combatants in February 2024. Despite this, major socioeconomic interventions have been implemented since 2015," said Presidential Assistant David Diciano in a statement. "Aligned with the provision of the Annex on Normalization, socioeconomic interventions are based on the 'needs assessment' process under the DSWD. This means that the services provided are tailored to the specific needs of each of the decommissioned combatants," he added, referring to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. OPAPRU also said that the MILF Central Committee decided to repeatedly delay and eventually defer the final phase of the decommissioning process since 2022. "It is unfair and unjust for those who are willing to undergo the decommissioning process, depriving them of their opportunity and right to be transformed into productive, peaceful citizens as envisioned in the CAB. The decision of the few should not deny the aspirations of the many," Diciano added. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s administration vowed in 2023 that it would fast-track the Normalization Program for former MILF combatants, their families, and communities. The following year, Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to normalize communities in the Bangsamoro region through the amnesty application of former rebels. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
