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1 Chapter 17

2 Attaining Just and Lasting Peace


3 The creation of an environment for just and lasting peace is critical to the realization of the country’s long
4 term vision for a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay. Communities living in peaceful coexistence
5 with one another can harness the fruits of economic growth through improved access to social services and
6 financial opportunities, and increased over-all human development potential without fear or threat to their
7 lives and livelihoods. Conversely, development will likely diminish the likelihood for armed conflict,
8 especially if socioeconomic interventions are inclusive, participatory, and sustainable.

9 In the first three years of the Administration, significant strides have been achieved resulting in the
10 successful negotiation and implementation of peace agreements with internal armed conflict groups.
11 Noteworthy among these are: (a) the enactment and ratification of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro
12 Organic Law 1 ; (b) completion process for the implementation of peace agreements with the
13 Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawang Pilipino/Revolutionary Proletariat Army/Alex Boncayao
14 Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB) and the Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People’s Liberation
15 Army (CBA-CPLA); and (c) the issuance of Executive Order No. 702 institutitionalizing a whole-of-nation
16 approach which shifts the government’s approach to end local communist armed conflict. Complementary
17 to these peace agreements were interventions for the continuous protection and development of conflict-
18 affected and conflict-vulnerable communities and the implementation of other peacebuilding initiatives.

19 For the remainder of the Planning Period, government efforts shall focus on ensuring successful transition
20 to the new Bangsamoro Government, completing the normalization processes for the Bangsamoro region
21 and the areas covered by the peace agreements with the CBA-CPLA and the RPMP/RPA/ABB, as well as
22 institutionalizing and implementing localized peace engagements in ending local communist armed conflict.
23 Addressing the threat of terrorism and violent extremism through a holistic, coherent and coordinated
24 national framework will likewise be pursued through peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding activities
25 addressing the roots of radicalization and violent extremism. Enhancement and expansion of peace and
26 development policies and programs shall likewise be pursued through harmonization and convergence in
27 the delivery of services, strengthening community resilience, and peacebuilding to avoid further escalation
28 of violence and guarantee the non-recurrence of conflict.

29

1
An Act Providing for the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act
6734, Entitled "An Act Providing for An Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," As Amended by Republic Act No. 9054,
Entitled "An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao."
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Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive and Sustainable Peace, Creating a National Task Force to End Local
Communist Armed Conflict, and Directing the Adoption of National Peace Framework

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30 Assessment and Challenges
31
32 The signing and subsequent ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) marked a historic
33 and significant milestone in the decades-long struggle for self-governance and peace in Mindanao.
34 The establishment of the new Bangsamoro Government through the enactment and ratification of Republic
35 Act (RA) 11054 (The Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
36 [BARMM]) recognizes the” justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and all
37 indigenous cultural communities in the BARMM to secure their identity and posterity, allowing for
38 meaningful self-governance”. It marked the end of more than 40 years of armed hostilities and the
39 culmination of nearly 20 years of peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH)
40 and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The territorial jurisdiction of the BARMM now included
41 the former ARMM provinces and in addition, Cotabato City and the 63 barangays from the six
42 municipalities 3 of North Cotabato.

43 The BOL guarantees the new Bangsamoro Government fiscal autonomy through increased powers to create
44 its own sources of revenue and levy taxes, fees, and charges. In addition, the National Government will
45 provide additional budgetary support in the form of an annual block grant 4, a Special Development Fund,
46 and subsidy for infrastructure development programs and projects. The increased financial resources and
47 investments are expected to spur economic growth, improve public financial management, and provide
48 seamless and effective delivery of public services to the people of Bangsamoro.

49 The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) was constituted to serve as the interim government of the
50 BARMM and to ensure the effective functioning of the regional government until the election of the
51 regional officials in 2022. The BTA is comprised of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro
52 National Liberation Front (MNLF), indigenous peoples, youth, women, traditional leaders, and settler
53 communities. The BTA will work towards building lasting peace and inclusive growth in the region.

54 Initial efforts were also undertaken in the setting up of the intergovernmental relations between national
55 government and the Bangsamoro government, a crucial mechanism during the transition period and in the
56 implementation of key provisions in the BOL. The Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IGFPB) has
57 already been organized between the BARMM Ministry of Budget, Finance and Management and the
58 national technical working group. The partnership seeks to assist the Bangsamoro government on how to
59 properly manage their funds and initially run its finance and budget departments to ensure long-term fiscal
60 stability.

61

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Barangays from the Municipalities of Aleosan (Dunguan and Tapodoc); Carmen (Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian,
Pebpoluan and Tubig); Kabacan (Buluan, Nanga-an, Ped-tad, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone and Tamped); Midsayap (Central Labas,
Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kapinpilin, Kudangaran, Malingao, Mudseng, Nabalawag, Olandang, Sambulawan, Tugal and Tumbras);
Pigcawayan (Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Datu Mantil, Kadingilan, Libungan Torreta, Lower Baguer, Lower Pangangkalan, Matilac,
Patot, Simsiman and Upper Pangankalan) and Pikit (Bago-inged, Barungis, Batuwalan, Bualan, Buliok, Bulol, Fort Pikit, Gli-Gli, Gotokan,
Kabalasan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Manaulanan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, Nunguan, Panicupan, Pamalian, Rajahmuda, S. Balong and S,
Balongis).
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The annual block grant shall be equivalent to five percent (5%) of the net national internal revenue tax collection of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR) and the net collection of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) from the third fiscal year immediately preceding the current fiscal year

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62 There is a heightened and urgent need to implement the Normalization Program in the Bangsamoro.
63 Complementary to the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government under the BOL is the implementation
64 of the normalization program. EO No. 79 (Implementing the Annex on Normalization under the
65 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro [CAB]), issued in April 2019, recognizes normalization as
66 a vital component of the Bangsamoro peace process. The EO provides for the creation of an Inter-Cabinet
67 Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) to prioritize, coordinate and mobilize government agencies
68 in the implementation of the following aspects of the normalization: (a) security; (b) socioeconomic
69 development program; (c) confidence-building measures; and (d) transitional justice and reconciliation.

70 The government continuously engaged the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on the
71 remaining commitments to complete the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA)
72 and converged efforts with the BOL and the BARMM. The Government is currently engaging the two
73 factions of the MNLF, namely the group under the leadership of Founding Chairman Nur Misuari and
74 another headed by Yusop Jikiri to complete the remaining commitments of the 1996 FPA. Two remaining
75 commitments resulting from the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) of the 1996 FPA are geared towards
76 uplifting the socio-economic and security conditions of the MNLF combatants, their families and
77 communities, especially for the members who were not integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines
78 (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) by virtue of the FPA.

79 In the efforts to converge the gains of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and the CAB, MNLF representatives
80 of the then Bangsamoro Transition Commission integrated in the crafting of the BOL, the remaining
81 commitments resulting from the completion of the Tripartite Review Process, namely, the 42 consensus
82 points; agreements on co-management of strategic minerals; participation of the MNLF in the transitional
83 government or BTA and territory for plebiscite. The provisions 5 in the BOL enable the Bangsamoro
84 Government to have power to create or control sources of revenues or shares from the exploration,
85 development and utilization of natural resources within the Bangsamoro territorial jurisdiction. Moreover,
86 ten MNLF members or individuals representing the MNLF were appointed as members of the BTA and
87 now serve as members of the Bangsamoro Parliament. Likewise, four MNLF-BTA members and one
88 MNLF senior leader have been elected or appointed to different positions in the Parliament and in the
89 ministries. The MNLF leadership under Yusoph Jikiri manifested their full support to the BOL and
90 recognized the BARMM as the more appropriate political solution to the Bangsamoro issue.

91 While the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s
92 Army/National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP/NPA/NDFP) was terminated, the
93 government institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach to the peace process. Peace negotiations with
94 the CPP/NPA/NDF were officially terminated in November 2017 through the issuance of Proclamation No.
95 360. Despite such issuance, backchannel efforts were still pursued by the Government of the Republic of
96 the Philippines (GRP) Panel to discuss the President’s requirements for possible resumption of the talks:
97 (1) that there will be no coalition government; (2) that collection of the so-called revolutionary tax shall be
98 stopped; (3) that the venue of the talks will be local; and (4) that there will be a ceasefire agreement in
99 which armed NPA members are encamped in designated areas. However, successful results with the peace
100 negotiations at the national level were not achieved due to various acts of violence and hostilities committed

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Section 34, Article XII on Fiscal Autonomy and Section 10, Article XIII on Regional Economy and Patrimony of the BOL
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101 by the CPP/NPA/NDF. This prompted the President to declare the CPP-NPA as an entity designated and/or
102 identified as a terrorist organization through Proclamation No. 374 issued in December 2017.

103 In recognition of the need to reframe and refocus government’s policy in addressing the root causes of
104 insurgencies, internal disturbances, and armed conflict, Executive Order (EO) No. 70 was issued to
105 institutionalize the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace in communities
106 affected by the communist insurgency. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
107 (NTF-ELCAC) was also created to oversee the effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach
108 through a two-tracked strategic framework: (a) the political, economic, socio-cultural track that will address
109 the primary issues and root causes of conflict; and (b) the peace engagement, law enforcement and military
110 track which aims to entice the rebels to surrender and delegitimize the insurgents through sustained military
111 operations and local peace engagements and negotiations.

112 In support of EO 70, the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) System was
113 also reactivated in 2019 to oversee peace, security, and development efforts across the country. Furthermore,
114 Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 series of 2019 provided the guidelines for the creation of Regional
115 Task Forces (RTFs) under the supervision of their respective CORDS, aimed towards fast-tracking the
116 promotion of peace and development at the regional level. The JMC likewise provides for the creation of
117 Local Task Forces (provincial, city, municipal and barangay) to ensure convergence in the implementation
118 of EO 70. The Guidelines for the Conduct of Local Peace Engagements, signed September 2019, contains
119 the principles, policy framework, operating structures and mechanics/phases of localization in the conduct
120 of nationwide local peace engagements in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable areas.

121 Efforts to finalize and complete the implementation of peace agreements with other internal armed
122 groups were actively pursued. The Government actively pursued the completion of components
123 according to signed peace agreements with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-
124 Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) and the Cordillera Bodong
125 Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA).

126 The GPH and the RPMP-RPA-ABB particularly the Tabara-Paduano Group (TPG) signed the Clarificatory
127 Implementing Document (CID) to the 2000 Peace Agreement with the RPMP-RPA-ABB held in July 2019.
128 The CID provides for the implementation of a three-year normalization plan with the following components:
129 (a) disposition of arms and forces and security arrangements; (b) socioeconomic reintegration; (c) provision
130 on the restoration of civil and political rights through pardon and release of the remaining alleged political
131 offenders/political prisoners; (d) transformation of the RPMP-RPA-ABB (TPG) into a civilian organization
132 engaging in socio-economic and political activities; and (e) community peace dividends. The Joint
133 Enforcement and Monitoring Committee (JEMC) was reconstituted to supervise and monitor the
134 implementation of the CID.

135 Prior to the finalization of the CID, the government implemented various socioeconomic development
136 programs. These include the profiling of 727 RPA-ABB members through the use of biometrics; inventory
137 of firearms, explosives, and ammunitions; provision of immediate cash assistance, livelihood support
138 (notably through the DENR’s National Greening Program and DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program),
139 and social protection packages (e.g., scholarships and PhilHealth coverage); and establishment of peace
140 and development communities in Aklan, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental.

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141 In the meantime, the TPG has initiated its transformation from an armed group into a civilian organization
142 engaging in socioeconomic and political activities. The TPG is now known as the Kapatiran para sa
143 Progresibong Panlipunan, Inc. (KAPATIRAN), the legitimate legal personality of the TPG registered with
144 the Securities and Exchange Commission.

145 On the other hand, the immediate completion of the 2011 Memorandum of Agreement with the CBA-CPLA
146 will be pursued. Partnerships and collaboration within the government 6 were strengthened to facilitate the
147 conclusion of the peace process with the CBA-CPLA. Efforts to support the region’s autonomy efforts as
148 the bigger platform for regional peace and development were intensified by lobbying its inclusion in the
149 priority legislative agenda of the current administration. Strong collaborations among key government
150 agencies were also carried out for continuous engagements to bring together stakeholders of Cordillera
151 autonomy and generate wider support from multi-sectoral groups and the broader public.

152 Despite various challenges, the delivery of socioeconomic interventions was sustained to further
153 protect and develop conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities. Various socioeconomic
154 programs and projects were sustained through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA)
155 Program, which is one of the government’s peace and development convergence initiatives. Despite various
156 implementation and security challenges, the PAMANA Program continues to deliver interventions and to
157 provide opportunity to various entities of the Government at the national and local levels towards forging
158 partnerships for the benefit of communities in peace agreement zones and in isolated and hard-to-reach
159 conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable areas. These include socioeconomic development programs such
160 as the following: (a) social and community development (e.g. study grant and health insurance coverage
161 for former combatants and/or their next-of-kin); (b) support to indigenous peoples concerns relative to
162 ancestral domain delineation and recognition, ancestral domain sustainable development and protection
163 plan formulation and other educational assistance; (c) support to the agriculture and fisheries sectors; (d)
164 various capacity building programs; (e) development of settlement sites, including water and power supply;
165 and (f) provision of livelihood assistance and infrastructure projects (e.g. bridges, roads, shelter). Moreover,
166 conflict-sensitivity and peace-promoting approach of PAMANA coupled with the Community-Driven
167 Development approach by DSWD has helped ensure that governance processes and structures enhance
168 social cohesion, strengthen community resilience, and build enduring peace.

169 Reintegration programs for former rebels, their families and communities were strengthened,
170 enhanced and rationalized vis-à-vis other government programs. The reintegration program for former
171 rebels and surrenderees was enhanced through the issuance of Administrative Order (AO) No. 10
172 (Centralizing All Government Efforts for the Reintegration of Former Rebels and Creating for the Purpose
173 an Inter-Agency Task Force) in April 2018 which created the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration
174 Program (E-CLIP). The AO also established Task Force Balik-Loob as the central coordinating body to
175 supervise the reintegration efforts. Through the E-CLIP, nearly 2,000 former rebels benefitted from various
176 programs such as immediate assistance, livelihood support and skills trainings, firearms remuneration, and
177 awarding of Certificates of Land Allocation. The E-CLIP (together with the Amnesty Program) was also
178 aligned with the implementation of the NTF-ELCAC pursuant to EO 70.

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On 20 June 2019, OPAPP strengthened its partnership with the 5th ID, 7th ID and AFP Peace and Development Office (AFPPDO) of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

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179 Other peacebuilding initiatives were implemented to create an environment conducive to peace and
180 development, as well as prevent further escalation of conflict. Aside from the PAMANA, E-CLIP, and
181 NTF-ELCAC programs and projects, other initiatives were undertaken to build on and sustain the gains of
182 the peace process:

183
184 • The National Action Plan to Prevent/Counter Violent Extremism (NAP-PCVE), which was
185 approved by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) in May 2019. The NAP-PCVE is the government’s
186 comprehensive, harmonized, and synchronized strategy to prevent and counter violent extremism,
187 and includes programs that address the political, economic, cultural, psychosocial, and religious
188 factors of radicalization that lead to violent extremism. It focuses on six sectors identified as being
189 vulnerable to violent extremism: the community; persons deprived of liberty with terrorism-related
190 cases in jails, and violent extremist offenders (VEOs) in prisons; religious leaders; learning
191 institutions; social media users; and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
192
193 • The National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP-WPS), which is currently in
194 its third generation and seeks to continue the best practice of women’s presence in formal peace
195 tables as well as in other informal spaces i.e. civil society and grassroots participation, including
196 consultations on indigenous women’s rights. It also aims to support various initiatives where
197 women empower other women, recognize the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, and religion,
198 and build a stronger constituency for peace and conflict transformation. The NAP-WPS 2017-2022
199 also serves as the explicit articulation of the incorporation of the gender perspective in the Six-
200 Point Peace and Development Agenda, particularly on building a culture of peace and conflict
201 sensitivity by integrating gender in the peace process.
202
203 • The Peoples Peace Tables, which are continuously convened to serve as government’s platform
204 in ensuring people’s participation in the peace process. They provide democratic spaces for
205 continuing dialogues between the government and community stakeholders to surface, discuss and
206 clarify issues and concerns that are at the root of, resulting from or affecting the peace process, and
207 gathering recommendations and strategies to address these concerns. The sectors and groups
208 include indigenous peoples, youth, women, and internally displaced peoples (IDPs).
209
210 • The Social Healing and Peacebuilding Program (SHAPE), which was launched to support to
211 the recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the government during the Marawi Crisis through the Task
212 Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM). Together with other government interventions in rebuilding
213 Marawi City, SHAPE was designed to address the immediate and sustaining issues of the IDPs
214 affected by the conflict. The program intends to enhance social cohesion, promote peacebuilding
215 and contribute to peace and security in Marawi through five components: (1) peacebuilding needs
216 analysis and planning; (2) social healing; (3) CSPP mainstreaming; (4) sustaining peace initiatives;
217 and (5) transitional socio-economic initiatives, which includes provision of initial capital for small
218 enterprise projects and entrepreneurial training programs. The College Educational Assistance
219 Project was also launched to provide transitional cash grants of PHP10,000 for one year for 700
220 students residing in Marawi City.
221
222 • Capacity building programs for mainstreaming conflict-sensitive and peace promoting
223 (CSPP) approaches in national and local development, which includes the development of the
224 Guidebook and Facilitator’s Manual on CSPP as part of the Comprehensive Development Plans
225 for LGUs in conflict-affected areas to serve as a reference guide and practical tool kit in adopting

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226 a CSPP framework in local development planning. 24 regional line agencies; four security sector
227 agencies; 18 other national government and attached agencies; 67 local government units; six civil
228 society organizations, and one academic organization were capacitated in twelve regions on
229 mainstreaming the CSPP.
230
231 • Various policies and initiatives for the protection of children in armed conflict, notably RA
232 11188 (Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act), signed into law in
233 January 2019, which sought to strengthen protection mechanisms for children involved in, affected,
234 and displaced by armed conflict situations. The law tasks the Inter-Agency Committee on Children
235 in Situations of Armed Conflict to effectively implement the provisions of the said law. It declares
236 children as “zones of peace”, and such treatment shall extend beyond territorial and geographical
237 boundaries and shall focus on the promotion and protection of their rights at all times. Other
238 initiatives include the development of a National Policy Framework on Schools and Learners as
239 Zones of Peace by the Department of Education to guide the public education sector towards the
240 creation of a safe, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive learning environments. The establishment of the
241 Monitoring, Reporting, and Response System by the Council for the Welfare of Children, which
242 provides a common framework for monitoring, reporting, and responding to victims of grave child
243 rights violations, has also resulted in the validation of 104 reports related to killing, recruitment and
244 use of children, and attacks on schools particularly in Mindanao as of 2018. (cross-refer with
245 Chapter 11)
246
247 • Mainstreaming of peace education and promoting a culture of peace and non-violence in both
248 formal and non-formal settings, with conversations on Mindanao Histories and Studies (MHS) 7
249 undertaken to give space to discuss future developments of Mindanao Histories and Studies based
250 on a roadmap developed by the Technical Working Group (TWG) on MHS. The TWG was formed
251 in 2018 consisting of Mindanaoan and national civil society organizations, academic as well as
252 governmental institutions that worked thoroughly to create a step-by-step roadmap for integrating
253 Mindanaoan narratives from Indigenous People, Muslim Filipinos and Filipino Christian migrants
254 in the Philippine Educational System. The activity served as a venue for feedback and perspective
255 in shaping an inclusive and conflict-sensitive Philippine Education System.
256
257 Despite these efforts, communities still need to increase their capacity to address conflict and reduce their
258 vulnerabilities. Affected communities remain exposed to negative impact of violent conflicts. Needs and
259 rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and
260 internally displaced persons are hugely disregarded and set aside. And while the government provides
261 avenues to address some of these issues, there remain substantially more areas that require attention.
262 Programs, projects, mechanisms and institutions of government that mitigate and respond to situations of
263 armed conflict likewise need to be strengthened and consolidated to amplify impact on the ground in critical
264 areas.

265

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MHS is comprised of historical and contemporary events in Mindanao including local Muslim, Christian, as well as Indigenous Peoples’ ethnic
narratives. Besides referring to institutional and local research it also relates to academic studies concerning Mindanao. Attention is paid to
Mindanao’s identities, cultures, politics, religions, languages, folkways, tales, as well as its traditional conflict-resolution systems, trading
practices, family relations and, finally its concepts of peace and development. Foundational information for MHS are gathered based on historical
and scientific research approaches including traditional oral history transmission.

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266 Strategic Framework
267 Acknowledging its role in laying down the foundation for inclusive growth and the attainment of a matatag,
268 maginhawa, at panatag na buhay, the government shall continue its efforts in the pursuit of just and lasting
269 peace for the remainder of the Plan Period. These include the effective implementation of signed peace
270 agreements and continuous delivery of various peace and development interventions to conflict-affected
271 and conflict-vulnerable areas.

272 Figure 17.1. Strategic Framework

273
274
275

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276 To support the outcomes for the remainder of the Plan Period, the following strategies will be implemented
277 in line with the President’s Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda:

278 Subsector Outcome 1: Peace Agreements with all internal armed conflict groups
279 successfully negotiated and implemented

280 Support the BTA as the interim government of the BARMM. Given the ongoing transition process from
281 the ARMM, it is critical for the BTA to undertake priority activities to effect the eventual establishment of
282 a fully-functioning BARMM government in 2022. These include the enactment of priority legislation to
283 provide legal bases for subsequent policies and programs to be enforced in the BARMM, the determination
284 of parliamentary districts for the first regular elections for the members of the Parliament, the organization
285 of its own bureaucracy, and the full transfer of powers and properties of the ARMM to the Bangsamoro
286 government, including the disposition of ARMM personnel. These activities will be guided by the BTA’s
287 five priority pillars: education, health, economic development, strategic infrastructure, and moral leadership.
288
289 As the interim government during the three-year transition period until 2022, support to the BTA will be
290 strengthened through partnerships with national government agencies and international partners. The
291 setting up of the intergovernmental relations also needs to be expedited as they are critical to the transition
292 period and implementation of key provisions in the BOL, particularly with regard to strengthening vertical
293 linkages of the Bangsamoro government and the national government. Aside from the IGFPB, other
294 intergovernmental relations bodies that need to be organized are the following: (a) Philippine Congress-
295 Bangsamoro Parliament Forum; (b) Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation (Sulu Sea and Moro
296 Gulf); (c) Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board; (d) Intergovernmental Energy Board; and
297 (e) Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board.
298
299 Intensify the implementation of the normalization program in the Bangsamoro. Complementary to the
300 establishment of the BARMM is the heightened implementation of the normalization program as provided
301 for in the Annex on Normalization under the CAB. The creation of the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism
302 on Normalization (ICCMN) and the existence of joint bodies (Joint Normalization Committee, Joint Peace
303 and Security Committee, and Joint Peace and Security Teams) guarantees the harmonization, synchronicity
304 and timely completion of the components and aspects of the program covering security, socioeconomic
305 development, confidence-building measures, and transitional justice and reconciliation.
306
307 In particular, the ICCMN shall ensure the timely completion of projects and activities under each aspect of
308 the normalization program, such as the decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons; implementation of
309 socioeconomic development efforts particularly for the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the
310 MILF’s armed wing; the transformation of former MLF camps into villages with increased access to
311 economic opportunities; and the promotion of social healing, reconciliation, and cultural harmony to
312 address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people. It also includes the creation of a technical
313 working group to study and recommend the propriety of grant of amnesty, pardon or other available
314 processes towards the resolution of cases of persons charged with or convicted of crimes and offenses
315 connected to the armed conflicts in Mindanao.
316
317 The components and phases of the normalization program will be carried out in accordance with the agreed
318 roadmap from 2019 to 2022. Normalization during the transition stage of the BARMM is based on the

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319 “principle of partnership between the GPH and the MILF working together to secure the peace on the
320 ground. 8”
321
322 Complete the implementation of the remaining commitments under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement
323 between the GPH and the MNLF. The government will further pursue the completion of its remaining
324 commitments and settle other concerns under the 1996 FPA with the MNLF anchored on the results of the
325 TRP between the GPH, MNLF, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation within an agreed timeframe.
326 Among the deliverables include the enhancement of the socio-economic and security conditions of the
327 MNLF former combatants, their families and communities, and the operationalization of a monitoring
328 mechanism to oversee the implementation of all points of consensus arrived at by the TRP. The full
329 implementation of 1996 FPA hopes to contribute to sustainable and durable peace, development and
330 security in Southern Philippines and ensure inclusivity of peace dividends. To this end, a coordinating body
331 between the government and the MNLF will be created to serve as a venue for cooperation of the MNLF
332 to achieve immediate peace in Sulu by, among others, helping in combatting the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
333 and convincing their MNLF relatives to return to the folds of the law. The remaining commitments under
334 the 1996 FPA are expected to be fully implemented by 2022.
335
336 Effectively implement of the National Plan to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 2019-2022 that
337 will operationalize the whole-of-nation approach to address local communist and other armed
338 conflicts pursuant to EO 70. Given the developments and changes in the strategy to address the communist
339 insurgency, government has directed the shift to localized peace engagements to be pursued by local
340 government units within their respective areas of responsibility. As part of Government’s convergent peace
341 and development efforts embodied in EO 70, it will move forward measures that effectively deliver social
342 services and prevent geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and marginalized sectors from being
343 vulnerable to conflict and radicalization.
344
345 The creation of the NTF-ELCAC will enable government to prioritize and harmonize delivery of basic
346 services, social development packages, facilitate inclusivity and address critical peace and security issues
347 at the level of communities. The NTF-ELCAC, headed by the President with the National Security Adviser
348 as Vice-Chair, will oversee the effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach through a two-
349 tracked strategic framework. These two tracks shall be undertaken through the implementation of the twelve
350 lines of efforts (LOEs): local government empowerment; international engagement; legal cooperation;
351 strategic communication; basic services, infrastructure and resource management; poverty reduction,
352 livelihood, and employment; peace, law enforcement, and development support; situational awareness and
353 knowledge management; localized peace engagement; E-CLIP and amnesty; and sectoral unification,
354 capacity-building, empowerment, and mobilization. These LOEs shall provide focus and deliberate efforts
355 in the implementation of programs and projects, enhance coordination and collaboration between and
356 among national government agencies and other stakeholders, and fast-track the delivery of services.
357
358 Effectively undertake localized peace engagements through community problem solving sessions and
359 local peace dialogues with local insurgent groups. The peace engagement, law enforcement, and military
360 track of the NTF-ELCAC mechanism shall be utilized in order to achieve the desired outcome of ending
361 local communist armed conflict through a whole-of-nation approach. In particular, capacity enhancement
362 for local chief executives on the conduct of local peace engagements shall be pursued to ensure that such
363 engagements are undertaken with mutual confidence and trust among parties, and that desired outcomes of
364 the peace process are achieved. For this purpose, a new panel composed of security officials, government

8
Annex on Normalization, Section B-1 signed on 25 January 2014

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365 and private sector will be created to oversee local peace engagements and shall act as adviser for local peace
366 dialogues through the establishment of protocols and other procedures.
367
368 Fast-track the completion of remaining commitments under the closure agreements with the RPMP-
369 RPA-ABB and the CBA-CPLA. The government hopes to complete the peace processes of the GPH with
370 the RPMP-RPA-ABB; and, with the CBA-CPLA. By the end of 2022, the peace process should facilitate
371 the return of former RPMP-RPA-ABB and CBA-CPLA members, their families and communities to
372 productive and normal lives.
373
374 As a model for localized peace engagements, the government is undertaking actions to complete the
375 commitments under the 2000 Peace Agreement with the RPMP-RPA-ABB, through the implementation
376 of components under the signed CID. These strategies will be part of the normalization plan for the RPMP-
377 RPA-ABB from 2019 to 2021, particularly the TPG/KAPATIRAN, which includes the decommissioning
378 of the 727 RPM-P/RPA/ABB/TPG members, support for security arrangements, provision of immediate
379 assistance, establishment of settlement sites, support to review of cases of alleged political offenders and
380 proposed amnesty. These commitments and components aim to attain the decommissioning of arms and
381 forces of the group, fully transform them from an armed group into a civilian organization and provide
382 government development support to members and identified communities.
383
384 On the other hand, the completion strategy for the CBA-CPLA will focus on the implementation and
385 sustainability of socioeconomic reintegration programs for former CPLA members, their families and
386 communities. These programs include employing former CPLA members as forest guards; training and
387 livelihood projects for identified people’s organizations; provision of health insurances, educational
388 assistance, and community development projects. Of equal importance are continuing multi-stakeholder
389 convergence to support regional peace and development advocacies and interventions. A mechanism will
390 also be established to focus on the delivery of the remaining commitments of the 2011 MOA components
391 leading to the comprehensive normalization of the former members of the CBA-CPLA. The completion
392 process also involves expanding the support and intervention to unreached CPLA members.
393
394 Moreover, the RPMP-RPA-ABB and CBA-CPLA peace processes will enhance its approaches and
395 strategies to cater to the implementation and localization of EO 70 with local counterparts.

396 Subsector Outcome 2: Communities in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable areas


397 protected and developed

398 Strengthen convergence and complementation in the implementation of PAMANA. PAMANA will
399 remain as the government’s peace and development convergence program for conflict-affected and conflict-
400 vulnerable areas. It will continue to focus on the implementation of peace-promoting and catch-up
401 socioeconomic development pursuant to its objectives in support of the Six-Point Peace and Development
402 Agenda. As such, convergence and complementation with other local and national government initiatives
403 shall be strengthened, including the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) of the Department of
404 the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The RCSP, as a convergence mechanism for LGUs, is based
405 on the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Community Support Program (CSP) and was formulated to
406 strengthen CSP initiatives of the military through the implementation of programs and projects that are
407 LGU-driven and are geared towards institutionalizing sustainable peace and development. As such, close
408 coordination with identified local government units and the Engineering Brigade of the (AFP) shall be
409 undertaken especially in far-flung communities and areas with security risks.
410

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411 Ensure convergence in the delivery of basic services and facilitate active participation of all sectors
412 of society through a whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict. The political,
413 economic, and sociocultural track of the NTF-ELCAC mechanism highlights the importance of
414 complementary developmental efforts to address the broader social, economic, and political grievances
415 which gave rise to armed conflict. Socioeconomic interventions, including the E-CLIP and PAMANA, need
416 to be effectively implemented through the convergence of all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and
417 instrumentalities of government, as well as with various stakeholders at the national, regional, and local
418 levels. Delivery of basic services and social development packages shall be prioritized and harmonized to
419 facilitate inclusivity and address critical peace and security issues particularly at the community level. The
420 RTFs shall also be further strengthened as a mechanism for national-regional coordination, to address key
421 issues and concerns affecting the regions’ peace, security, and socioeconomic development.
422
423 Empower communities by increasing their capacity to address conflicts and reducing their
424 vulnerabilities. Continuing engagement with the most severely affected and vulnerable groups in situations
425 of armed conflict (namely women, indigenous peoples, children, elderly, internally displaced persons), and
426 the strengthening of local capacities for addressing peace, conflict and security issues will be central to
427 sustaining government’s community-based support and peacebuilding programs. The youth sector is a
428 particularly significant partner in peace education and peace advocacy programs to reach mainstream,
429 school-based and non-school organizations of various ethnolinguistic groups. The conduct of capacity
430 development activities on CSPP for implementing partners and key stakeholders shall continue to be
431 pursued. The Peoples Peace Tables will be continuously convened to serve as government’s platform to
432 ensure people’s participation in the peace process. Continuous engagements with local civil society
433 organizations will likewise be expanded in recognition of the important role of non-government institutions
434 in advancing the peace process agenda.
435
436 Strengthen government peace and development institutions and mechanisms to increase their
437 responsiveness to peace, conflict, and security issues. In order to cut vicious cycles of violence, the
438 processes of renewing relationships among people and groups, and restoring confidence in institutions will
439 be given utmost focus together with the provision of citizen security, economic opportunities, and justice
440 to communities affected by and are vulnerable to armed conflict. Approaches to planning, programming,
441 implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable areas
442 will be undertaken under the Conflict-Sensitive and Peace Promoting (CSPP) framework. Mainstreaming
443 of CSPP approaches in plans and programs of LGUs, NGAs, and various stakeholders shall be pursued by
444 government to make sure that a peace lens is adopted in programs and projects for these areas.
445
446 Continue and expand the mainstreaming of peace education and promote a culture of peace and non-
447 violence in both formal and non-formal settings. An environment where peace can be built and nurtured
448 cannot be sustained without mainstreaming peace education and promoting a culture of peace and non-
449 violence in both formal and non-formal settings. As such, efforts to institutionalize peace education in basic,
450 higher, and technical and vocational education will be undertaken to create a society characterized by justice,
451 equity, tolerance, harmonious pluralism, and full respect of human rights. As such, a roadmap for
452 integrating Mindanaoan narratives from Indigenous People, Muslim Filipinos and Filipino Christian
453 migrants into the Philippine educational system will be enhanced At the same time, an inventory of existing
454 materials containing Mindanao histories and studies in their respective institutions/localities shall be created
455 to be used as reference for documentation and crafting of learning materials.
456
457 Undertake social healing and reconciliation programs in support of the rehabilitation and recovery
458 of Marawi City. The effective implementation of the SHAPE Program and its components shall give
459 priority to healing of individuals and reconciliation within and among communities as complementary to
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460 the humanitarian interventions being undertaken by TFBM and its partners. The building and rebuilding of
461 relationships of the IDPs together with their community leaders, sectoral representatives, operating NGAs,
462 LGUs, CSOs and all stakeholders shall aim to bring about social cohesion, resilience and sustainable peace
463 towards the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi and its nearby municipalities.
464
465 Continuously implement and localize the NAP-WPS to ensure empowerment and participation of
466 women in the peace process, as well as the protection of women’s rights in conflict situations.
467 Women’s meaningful participation in the peace process shall be encouraged to ensure the protection of
468 women’s rights in conflict situations. The continued implementation of the NAP-WPS will guarantee the
469 protection and promotion of women’s rights and capacities in conflict situations and expand their role in
470 the peace process.
471
472 Effectively implement the NAP-PCVE. The prevention of radicalization is a paramount strategy to sustain
473 the gains of peace and expunge violent extremism in the minds of the youth and other marginalized sectors.
474 The implementation of the NAP-PCVE shall be effectively undertaken through the institutionalization of
475 PCVE strategies down to the grassroots level, involvement of different stakeholders in implementing PCVE
476 programs, adoption of a comprehensive and people-centered approach to address drivers of radicalization,
477 and alignment of interventions with the rule of law, international human rights law, and international
478 humanitarian law.
479
480 Ensure protection of children in situations of armed conflict. As one of the sectors most vulnerable not
481 only to the effects of conflict but also to the influence of radicalization and violent extremism, the protection
482 of the youth will be heightened through the effective implementation of RA 11188. The comprehensive
483 program framework shall be updated and the accompanying work plan on the implementation of the law
484 shall likewise be finalized.

485 Legislative Agenda


486
Legislative Agenda Rationale
Separate amnesty proclamations for the
Bangsamoro, RPM-P/RPA/ABB and
former rebels of the communist terrorist
groups (CTG)

Enabling law creating an autonomous


region in the Cordilleras

487
488

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