Boundary Demarcation – 2017

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The drafting process of a new version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) continued in 2017. The Bangsamoro Transition Commission submitted its 2017 draft to President Duterte on July 17, 2017.[1] In August, the proposed bill had been submitted to leadership in the House and the Senate,[2] and was proposed as a draft bill in the Senate. President Duterte voiced support for the bill and urged its passage within a year. As of November 24, 2017, the bill has not passed.[3]

[1] “BTC submits new BBL to Duterte,” Bangsamoro Transition Commission, July 18, 2018.

[2] “BBL now in Congress,” Bangsamoro Transition Commission, August 18, 2017.

[3] “Philippines’ Duterte vows to push for ‘Bangsamoro country,’” Xinhua General News Service, July 17, 2017.

Boundary Demarcation – 2016

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Congress adjourned in early February, 2016 without approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).[1] The BBL was not passed in 2016.

[1] “Philippine leader to talk shelved Bangsamoro law at ASEAN,” Anadolu Agency, February 15, 2016.

Boundary Demarcation – 2015

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Discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic Law initially stalled after clashes with the MILF and government police forces on January 25.[1] In 2015, Congress deliberated changes to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) but failed to pass the law in 2015.

[1] “Philippines suspends autonomy discussions after rebels kill policemen,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, January 26, 2015.

Boundary Demarcation – 2014

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The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, and the Addendum on the Bangsamoro Waters included in the Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro outline the territorial and maritime demarcation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) draft contained language for the official boundary demarcation of the territorial Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,[1] ownership of inland waters [2] and water boundary demarcation. [3]

The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft was first presented to President Aquino in April 2014, [4] to be submitted and approved by Congress. On August 20, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) submitted a final draft of the BBL to President Aquino,[5] which he submitted to Congress on September 10.[6] [7] Though Congress immediately began reviewing the BBL, the bill failed to pass in 2014.

[1] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article 3, Section 2.

[2] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article 3, Section 4.

[3] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article 3, Section 5.

[4] “Philippines to fast-track review of draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.

[5] “Final Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Philippine President,” Xinhua General News Service, August 21, 2014.

[6] “Philippine president submits law on Muslim south to Congress,” Anadolu Agency, September 10, 2014.

[7] “Philippine report gives details of draft autonomy bill submitted by president,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 11, 2014.

Amnesty – 2021

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The process of implementing amnesty began. The TPMT (Third Party Monitoring Team) noted that the Department of Justice and the OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity) were evaluating the list of the MILF for charged and convicted crimes of MILF members. In February, the House of Representatives Committees on Justice and National Defense and Security had a joint hearing on four proclamations (No. 1090, 1091, 1092, and 1093) granting amnesty to  members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), and former rebels of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).[1] The House of Representatives passed these proclamations in May. [2] Further, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 125, creating the National Amnesty Commission (NAC).[3] The seven-member commission comprises a chairperson, two regular members, and four ex-officio members.[4] The National Amnesty Commission was processing cases, but the commission had not made any deliberation.[5]

[1] “House panels OK reports on amnesty resolutions for rebel groups.” 14 April 2021. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136738

[2] “Seventh Public Report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, January 2022.

[3] Ibid.

[4] “New National Amnesty Commission seen to aid peace efforts,” 10 February, 2021. https://www.rappler.com/nation/national-amnesty-commission-seen-to-aid-peace-efforts/

[5] “COVID-19 Delays Handover of Former Rebels’ Weapons in Southern Philippines,”  Benar News. 15 September, 2021. https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/southern-philippines-former-separatist-rebels-09152021132549.html