Parties agree to turn 6 MILF camps into ‘peaceful, productive communities’

The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are to cooperate in turning six MILF camps into "peaceful and productive communities." According to the Annex on Normalization that was signed by government and MILF representatives Saturday evening in Kuala Lumpur, the following camps will be transformed "as a gesture of good will":

• Camp Abubakar as-Siddique in Maguindanao
• Camp Bilal in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur
• Camp Omar ibn al-Khattab in Maguindanao
• Camp Rajamuda in North Cotabato and Maguindanao
• Camp Badre in Maguindanao
• Camp Busrah Somiorang in Lanao del Sur

According to the agreement, both parties will constitute joint task forces to handle the camps. "The task forces will assess the needs, plan appropriate programs, and undertake the necessary measures to transform these areas into peaceful and productive communities," the annex read. The government had also committed to taking "immediate steps through amnesty, pardon and other available processes towards the resolution of cases of persons charged with or convicted of crimes and offenses connected to the armed conflict in Mindanao. “These are just two phases of normalization, or the process whereby communities can achieve their desired quality of life." The process is meant to ensure peace and order in the proposed territory of the Bangsamoro. Both parties have agreed that peace and order will primarily be left to "the police force for the Bangsamoro," a civilian force that will answer to both the central government and the Bangsamoro government. An Independent Commission on Policing, composed of representatives from both parties, will study and recommend "the appropriate form of policing for the Bangsamoro.", Until then, and until Bangsamoro has its own police force, the Philippine National Police will act in its stead. Transition stage security The government and the MILF have also committed to work together to "secure the peace" on the ground. A Joint Normalization Committee will be tasked with coordinating the normalization process while a Joint Peace and Security Committee will coordinate the security aspect of normalization. Joint Peace and Security Teams will also be formed from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the PNP, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. The JPSTs will be tasked with tracking and documenting private armies and armed groups, supporting the observance of the ceasefire agreement, securing activities and personalities that are part of the peace process, and supporting dispute resolution on the ground., "These transitional mechanisms shall be in place until the police force for the Bangsamoro is fully organized and operational." The MILF had also committed to a "graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use." The decommissioning will include activities meant to help BIAF members transition to civilian life. Decommissioning will be overseen by an Independent Decommissioning Body that will include three foreign experts,and four local experts jointly nominated by the parties., AFP units will also be redeployed from the Bangsamoro, although it will "retain installations necessary for national defense and security." The annex on normalization is the last of four annexes that clarify issues in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro both parties signed in 2012. — Jonathan de Santos/DVM,GMA News