TPMT

Press Release

EMBARGOED TILL 11:00 am 28 February 2014

28 February 2014

Third-Party Monitoring Team issues its first Public Report

The Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), formally established in 2013 as part of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), today issued its first Public Report. TPMT Chair Alistair MacDonald said The Government and MILF Panels have made gigantic progress in completing all four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). Much remains to be done, but as we look forward to the signature of the comprehensive peace agreement, the drafting and adoption of the Basic Law, and the full implementation of the agreements reached, we can clearly see the construction of a lasting peace. MacDonald added that the TPMTs consultations with a wide range of stakeholders had confirmed the great importance which all attached to achieving a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable peace in Mindanao. Building a peace which will bring an end to cycles of violence and displacement, and which will allow the tremendous economic, social and cultural potential of Mindanao to come to the fore, MacDonald said, will be the key inheritance which the two Parties can leave to future generations. In its report, the TPMT noted certain key steps which had been taken by the Parties since the signature of the FAB in October of 2012 : - the signature of the Annexes on Transitional Modalities (February 2013), on Wealth Generation (July 2013), on Power Sharing (December 2013) and on Normalisation (January 2014, together with the addendum on Bangsamoro Waters); - the launching of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in April 2013, and the work being carried forward in drafting the Basic Law; - the launching of the Independent Commission on Policing in September 2013, to prepare proposals for a new police service for the Bangsamoro; - the launching of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program in Feburary 2013, providing in coordination with the the Transition Commission the governments initial support for identified MILF combatants, families and other affected persons and communities. The TPMT report also noted a number of key observations which they had drawn from their consultations with stakeholders in September and December : - it was evident that both Parties continued to share the strongest commitment to peace, and are absolutely determined to bring the process to a successful conclusion; - there was a strong recognition of the need for speed, and for the drafting of the Basic Law to be completed as soon as possible in order to allow Congress to commence its deliberations in a timely manner; - many stakeholders underlined the need for deeper public information about the FAB and its implications, and for the Parties to strengthen their outreach and public messaging to a wide audience, including LGUs, the ulamas and bishops, the business sector, and civil society more widely, and including also information in local languages;

a number of stakeholders expressed concern about the inclusiveness of the process, and there was a clear desire for the FAB to be something which would be beneficial for all residents of the Bangsamoro.

Looking forward, much remains to be done, but some of the greatest steps have already been taken. The signature of the comprehensive peace agreement, expected next month, will mark the next key milestone in this crucial process.

-----Background The independent Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) was set up by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to monitor the implementation of the GPHMILF peace agreement, as provided for in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed on 15 October 2012. The TPMT has five members (two nominated by the GPH, two by the MILF, and a jointlynominated Chair) : Huseyin Oru (IHH, Turkey), Karen Taada (Gaston Z Ortigas Peace Institute, Philippines), Steven Rood (The Asia Foundation, USA), Zainuddin Malang (Mindanao Human Rights Action Center, Philippines), and Alistair MacDonald (Chair, former EU Ambassador to the Philippines, now retired). The TPMT is tasked with monitoring, reviewing and assessing the implementation of all signed agreements between the Parties, primarily the FAB and its Annexes. In particular, its basic functions are to : - monitor and evaluate the implementation of all agreements; - review and assess the progress of the implementation of commitments by both Parties under the Agreements (submitting comprehensive periodic reports and updates to both Parties for their appropriate action); - and to communicate to the public the progress and developments in the implementation of the Agreements of the Parties. The TPMT was launched in July of 2013, on the basis of terms of reference agreed by the Parties in January 2013. The TPMT has so far convened three times in the Philippines (in September and December of 2013 and now in February 2014), and will continue to met on a roughly twomonthly basis through till the completion of the Exit Document foreseen in the FAB. The present Public Report is the first such report issued by the TPMT.

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Contact: Alistair MacDonald (TPMT Chair & Spokesperson)

tpmt.macdonald@gmail.com