Manila: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Tuesday welcomed the "encouraging findings" of the Third Party Monitoring Team's (TPMT) 9th Public Report which was released last May 4.
According to Philippines News Agency, these findings refer to the implementation of the political track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), preparations for the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, and the ongoing Amnesty Program for former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants.
"We share the TPMT's recognition of the core principles of the CAB: parity of esteem grounded in mutual respect and equal recognition of identity; joint implementation through sustained adherence to non-unilateral action; meaningful self-governance anchored in BARMM-based decision-making and free from external interference; a truly democratic Bangsamoro political entity, including the conduct of credible and timely parliamentary elections; and the integrity of the peace process, upheld through the parallel implementation of its major components," OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said in a statement.
Sarmiento also said the OPAPRU acknowledges the challenges identified by the TPMT in carrying out the national government's deliverables under the CAB's normalization track. He added that the peace body is committed to fully realizing the provisions of the landmark peace agreement as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
These provisions include the rollout of interventions jointly identified for the decommissioned combatants, such as social protection, capacity development, livelihood assistance, and other community-based initiatives in their communities, with the end in view of improving the lives of the Bangsamoro people.
The OPAPRU chief also said the vetting process for the selection of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Implementing Panel Chair has recently been completed. Sarmiento said the national government looks forward to resuming its engagements with the MILF through its Peace Panel and the jointly constituted peace process mechanisms.
"Moving forward, the OPAPRU is determined, more than ever, to working closely with its peace stakeholders to sustain the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process, strengthen trust and cooperation among parties, and ensure that the aspirations enshrined in the CAB translate into lasting peace, inclusive development, and meaningful change for the Bangsamoro people," he added.
