Boundary Demarcation: Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro
Implementations
Boundary Demarcation – 2014
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.
Boundary Demarcation – 2015
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 – 2016
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 – 2017
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 – 2018
The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was signed into law by President Duterte on July 26, 2018.[1] The signed law defined the territorial and maritime jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, conditional on a successful plebiscite.[2]
[1] “President signs Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Country Reports, July 30, 2018.
[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IV and XV.
Boundary Demarcation – 2019
A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. Subsequently, a plebiscite on the inclusion of additional territory was held on February 6, 2019.[1]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.
Boundary Demarcation – 2020
A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. Subsequently, a plebiscite on the inclusion of additional territory was held on February 6, 2019.[1]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.
Boundary Demarcation – 2021
A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. Subsequently, a plebiscite on the inclusion of additional territory was held on February 6, 2019.[1]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.