Reintegration: Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro
Implementations
Reintegration – 2014
The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro stipulate action to facilitate the transition of MILF forces to civilian life. In August 2014, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of the Philippines allotted 355 million pesos in their budget to provide free training in technical and vocational courses for ex-combatants.[1]
[1] “Tesda allots P335 million to train ex-MILF fighters,” Business Mirror, August 17, 2014.
Reintegration – 2015
145 decommissioned Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces received PhilHealth cards and P25,000 immediate cash assistance. [1]
[1] “Philippine rebels begin process of giving up arms,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, June 16, 2015.
Reintegration – 2016
On April 28, 2016, MILF members decommissioned in 2015 graduated from a government training program, which was operated by the government Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The program included courses to prepare former combatants for civilian life, including “bread and pastry production, driving, carpentry, cookery, small engine repair, dressmaking/tailoring, automotive servicing, electrical installation and maintenance, welding, and entrepreneurship.”[1]
[1] “Former Philippine rebels swap guns for spanners,” Gulf News, April 28, 2016.
Reintegration – 2017
No developments observed this year.
Reintegration – 2018
The BBL was signed into law by President Duterte on July 26, 2018.[1] The law obligated the National and Regional governments to establish programs to rehabilitate MILF and MNLF fighters.[2]
[1] “President signs Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Country Reports, July 30, 2018.
[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article XVI, Section 1.
Reintegration – 2019
A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019.[1] The law obligated the national and regional governments to establish programs to rehabilitate MILF and MNLF fighters.[2]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.
[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article XVI, Section 1.
Reintegration – 2020
A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019.[1] The law obligated the national and regional governments to establish programs to rehabilitate MILF and MNLF fighters.[2]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.
[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article XVI, Section 1.
Reintegration – 2021
As of 2021, some 30% of MILF combatants have gone through the decommissioning process as part of the second phase, and the third phase is currently underway and involves 35% of MILF combatants. [1] As part of the reintegration process, decommissioned combatants, their families, and communities receive economic packages comprised of social protections, capacity building, livelihood/employment assistance, and social infrastructure. The demobilized combatants received cash assistance worth PhP100,000 each. According to the TPMT report, a total of 501 combatants and their families graduated from the technical training programs, and a total of 330 out of 450 targeted decommissioned combatants completed the value transformation training by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) in 2021. The TPMT report also notes the completion of some social infrastructure. Nevertheless, not all decommissioned combatants have received socio-economic development packages, as 12,145 decommissioned combatants from Phase 1 and Phase 2 are still waiting for their socio-economic packages. Lack of clarity on socio-economic packages has caused a delay in the decommissioning and reintegration process.[2]
[1] “Seventh Public Report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, January 2022; “Decommissioning process delayed by 21,000 MILF combatants – Galvez,” Rappler, September 15, 2021. https://www.rappler.com/nation/carlito-galvez-jr-says-decommissioning-delayed-by-thousands-milf-combatants/
[2] “Seventh Public Report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, January 2022.