IDB STATEMENT ON THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE OF DECOMMISSIONING
16 March 2020
(Left to right): BARMM Interim Chief Minister/MILF Chairman Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, Al-Hajj, Senator Bong Go, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, IDB Chairman HE Fatih Ulusoy, and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. during the launching of the Second Phase of Decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons
The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) commends the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) for another historic milestone by the parties to achieve a just and lasting peace in Bangsamoro. Phase 2 of the Decommissioning Process was launched on September 7 last year, honored by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chairman Ahod Ebrahim Al Haj, of MILF Central Committee and Chief Minister of Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
The IDB is glad to announce that the second phase of decommissioning has been concluded successfully as of 11 March 2020. In phase two, 30% of MILF combatants and weapons have been decommissioned. We see this as a testament of sincerity and dedication of both parties to implement the commitments in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
As IDB, mandated to oversee the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons we made sure that the decommissioning was conducted with utmost professionalism, impartiality, integrity, and confidentiality. IDB kept a close and steadfast coordination with the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) and the different GPH & MILF normalization mechanisms, throughout the entire process.
During the decommissioning all parties had to overcome and handle unforeseen situations, as this is a unique process of its kind with complex technical and logistical operations. We would like to thank the GPH and the MILF and other counterparts for their strong efforts to make this a success. IDB is now looking forward to proceed with the succeeding phase 3. We will continue to work closely with the parties for the next and coming phase in the Bangsamoro Peace Process.
IDB acknowledges the support of its local and international partners, including the Governments of Germany, Australia and Japan whose contributions enabled IDB to successfully complete the second phase. IDB remains beyond grateful to all its partners.
Finally, IDB reiterates the continuing commitment of its member countries - Governments of Turkey, Norway and Brunei Darussalam to support the Bangsamoro Peace Process and the decommissioning of MILF forces.
Watch the video highlights of the Second Phase of Decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons:
