Romeo Dax B.

Calamaya
Samaritans Purse Philippines
National Security Manager

February 23, 2016

TO:

Country Director Philippines

Area Coordinator Tacloban City
Area Coordinator Cotabato City

FROM:

National Security Manager

SUBJECT:

UPDATE ON THE BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW (BBL)

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

1.) SUMMARY: CAB Implementation and MILF adherence to peace process

On February 20, 2016, according to MIRIAM CORONEL FERRER, Government Chief
Panel Negotiator, the failure of Congress to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will
not deter the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed
by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and disclosed a recent meeting
with two MILF commanders in Maguindanao telling her that they will abide by the orders of their
leadership to observe and protect the ceasefire agreement. She further added that all stakeholders
are holding on to the peace process and all the mechanisms are fully functional, hence the peace
process is still on track despite the Congress collective inaction on the BBL.
Meanwhile on the same day, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair MURAD
EBRAHIM urged his followers to maintain a ceasefire with the government despite the failure to
pass a bill implementing a peace agreement. It was the first time that Murad issued a statement
following the failure of Congress this month to pass the BBL, which would have completed the
peace accord signed by the government and the MILF in 2014. Significantly, all officers,
commanders, and members of the MILF political wing and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed
Forces (BIAF) are enjoined to strictly follow and abide by the instructions guidelines of the MILF
Central Committee. They are tasked to uphold the primacy of the peace process while
maintaining their vigilance and perseverance as they continue the consolidation and capability
building programs of the organization. The MILF decommissioned more than a hundred fighters
and their firearms last year as part of the peace agreement. The decommissioning process,
however, is hinged on the progress of the peace deal. Without the BBL, the decommissioning
process is also suspended.
2.) DISCUSSION: Impact to Security Environment
The stand of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the leadership of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in continuing the peace process through the Comprehensive
Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB), despite the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)
in the Congress poses a significant impact on the security environment in Muslim Mindanao.
With this, cessation of hostilities between government security forces and the MILF will
continue, and chances are that no full scale conflict between the two groups will arise.
Significantly, it gives hint that both the GPH and MILF panel are willing continue the peace
process and have the BBL passed by the next administration.

Although, such stand benefits both the GPH and MILF, the rogue MILF breakaway group
and Muslim separatist movement Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) does not respect,
recognize and uphold the peace stipulations in the CAB and still are expected to perpetrate
militant attacks against government security forces and strategic installations. More so, noncombatants or private individuals may be involved in the armed conflict between GPH and BIFF
forces, as the attacks of latter at often times involved public places and populace, as an effort to
underscore the trust of the public on the governments capability to protect them.
3.) RECOMMENDATIONS: Operational Security
Continue to monitor updates regarding the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and
Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB), as well as reports on armed conflict in the
area. Coordinate with government, UN agencies, INGOs and all stakeholders in all matters
relevant to the said subject matter and its further impact to the over-all security environment, to
serve as guidance for operations and programs. In as much, security advices given in earlier
situation reports are likewise reiterated.

***NOTHING TO FOLLOW***