Police Reform – 2014
2014
The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and Annex on Normalization in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro mandate the creation of a Bangsamoro police force accountable to both the Philippines and Bangsamoro governments. In September 2013, the government-MILF peace panels formed the Independent Commission on Policing, charged with a 6-month-long mission of initiating proposals and making recommendations related to the establishment of the police force in the future Bangsamoro.[1]
The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft provides for the creation of a Bangsamoro police force as part of the national police force.[2] The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft was first presented to President Aquino in April 2014, [3] to be submitted and approved by Congress. On August 20, the MILF submitted a final draft of the BBL to President Aquino,[4] which he submitted to Congress on September 10.[5] [6] Though Congress immediately began reviewing the BBL, the bill failed to pass in 2014.
[1] “Gov’t, MILF peace panels form body on Bangsamoro police force,” Philippines Daily Inquirer, September 18, 2013.
[2] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article XI.
[3] “Philippines to fast-track review of draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.
[4] “Final Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Philippine President,” Xinhua General News Service, August 21, 2014.
[5] “Philippine president submits law on Muslim south to Congress,” Anadolu Agency, September 10, 2014.
[6] “Philippine report gives details of draft autonomy bill submitted by president,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 11, 2014.