Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro
Implementations
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2014
The Normalization Annex, reaffirmed by the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, mandates the creation of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission. On May 6, 2014 the government and MILF announced the creation of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), which is charged with recommending mechanisms to address the grievances of the Bangsamoro people, and will be led by an expert from Switzerland.[1] The TJRC convened throughout 2014.[2]
[1] “Philippine gov’t, MILF create normalization bodies,” Xinhua General News Service, May 6, 2014.
[2] “Philippines, MILF meet to start disarmament process,” Anadolu Agency, September 28, 2014.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2015
The Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission convened throughout 2015 and submitted a report to the Peace Panels in December, 2015.[1]
[1] “TJRC Hands Over The Report To The Peace Panels,” Truth and Justice Reconciliation Commission, December 11, 2015.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2016
The Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission released its 2015 report to the public in 2016. The report identifies Bangsamoro grievances including historical injustices, human rights violations, violence, impunity, and neglect, and provides recommendations for action to facilitate healing and reconciliation.[1]
[1] Report of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 2016.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2017
No developments observed this year.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2018
The BBL was signed into law by President Duterte on July 26, 2018. [1] On the recommendation of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, the law required the Bangsamoro Parliament to create “a transitional justice mechanism to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people and the indigenous peoples.”[2]
[1] “President signs Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Country Reports, July 30, 2018.
[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 1.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2019
A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019.[1] On the recommendation of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, the law required the Bangsamoro Parliament to create “a transitional justice mechanism to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people and the Indigenous peoples.”[2]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.
[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 1.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2020
A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019.[1] On the recommendation of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, the law required the Bangsamoro Parliament to create “a transitional justice mechanism to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people and the Indigenous peoples.”[2]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.
[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 1.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 2021
It is reported that the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) has set up a cluster to implement the TJRC (Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission) recommendations. The TJRC-recommended National Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Bangsamoro (NTJRCB), a mechanism to oversee a National Dealing With the Past, is yet to be established.[1] It is reported that the BARMM government has passed a resolution (Resolution 56) asking the national government to create the NTJRCB and the Philippine government is still to pass a law.[2]
[1] “Seventh Public Report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, January 2022.
[2] “Advancing the transitional justice agenda (1),” Inquirer, June 7, 2021. https://opinion.inquirer.net/140937/advancing-the-transitional-justice-agenda-1