THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has halted the decommissioning of its weapons and combatants, citing significant delays in other key components of the normalization process.
In an emailed statement dated September 4, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said the move is meant to “preserve the gains of the peace process.”
Iqbal said the decommissioning of MILF fighters and their weapons is a central part of the peace agreement with the Philippine government.
However, it is just one of seven deliverables within the normalization process.
The decommissioning of MILF fighters and their weapons is just one of seven key elements of the normalization process. The other six deliverables that must proceed in parallel are: the establishment of joint normalization mechanisms, confidence-building measures, socioeconomic interventions, transitional justice and reconciliation, the disbandment of private armed groups, policing, and the redeployment of government troops.
“All these deliverables must proceed parallel and commensurate with each other. Truth is that the decommissioning is way way ahead while the other elements are trailing badly, especially the disbandment of private armed groups, socioeconomic, and transitional justice and reconciliation,” Iqbal’s statement reads in part.
He added that the MILF reaffirms its commitment to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which it considers a “serious moral responsibility.”
“A sin before Allah if we do not comply with a solemn agreement,” Iqbal’s statement reads.
Despite this commitment, the MILF’s decision to pause the process is to allow both sides to “sort out things in their correct appreciation and proper perspective.”
The statement also noted that the views of some Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) base commanders on the issue should be seen as a sign of their support for the MILF’s commitment to the CAB.
