While the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has announced that its members will not lay down arms before the peace agreement is concluded, the government on Tuesday maintained that all weapons should be decommissioned even before the implementation of the peace pact.

“The normalization process will be done in phases and we will see gradual and steady decommissioning taking place. Thus, even before the implementation of the agreement, arms will be put beyond use,” Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Deles said.

But Mohagher Iqbal, the chairman of the peace-negotiating panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said on Monday that his group would not lay down its weapons until a final peace accord is in place.

The laying down of arms is in the last stage of the implementation of the agreement.

The Framework Agreement signed on Monday by the government and the MILF provides that the latter will “undertake a graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use.” In turn, the government agreed to “a phased and gradual” transfer of law enforcement functions from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to a Bangsamoro police force.

“Equally important, both sides have already agreed to work in partnership to reduce and control firearms in the conflict-affected area without exception and we intend to implement it as soon as is feasible,” Deles said.

“Of course, we will also need to make sure that in the process, we are building a highly effective and professional police force in the Bangsamoro for the maintenance of domestic law and order under the ambit of Philippine national security,” she added.

Iqbal, after the signing of the framework agreement, said that his group will wait for the agreement to take force before laying down arms.

He said that when they signed the deal, both parties have their respective obligations to adhere to.

“We cannot force the government not to comply with their requirements in the same way that you cannot force us. So it’s a positive action towards the fulfillment of the agreement,” he said.

“You know, it’s a reality that from a pure liberation organization using military means to something—engaging in the negotiations and then after that we sign something, there has to be some transformation even including arms,” he added.

However, Iqbal did not elaborate on the decommissioning process, saying that it will be discussed in their next meeting.

“We only used the term decommissioning—beyond use. But I am not at liberty to discuss that because we will discuss that,” he said.

Iqbal expressed confidence that should be problems regarding the implementation of a ceasefire, the group can easily address it.

“We have several mechanisms to address the issue. We have the ceasefire committee, we have the international monitoring team, etcetera,” he told reporters.

“We have a reliable partner in [President Benigno] Aquino [3rd]. We want to finish the deal before his term ends for practical reasons,” he added.

Ceasefire
Dean Marvic Leonen, chairman of the government peace panel, said that the MILF committed to help government security forces maintain peace and stability in Mindanao.

Leonen was at the House of Representatives on Tuesday to brief lawmakers about the newly signed Framework Agreement.

“Our principals have instructed us that the Philippine Army and the police should never leave a security vacuum in place. The MILF will observe ceasefire and are willing to cooperate with the military in going after lawless elements such as the Abu Sayaff, Jemmah Islamiyah and other kidnap-for-ransom gangs,” he said.

He added that the MILF agreed on a “gradual” decommission process. “Both parties agreed that there should be a reduction and control of the proliferation of arms in the area. Decommissioning means that they [MILF] are put beyond use. They will not be the same armed forces that they are at present,” Leonen said.

Leonen issued the statement after Reps. Guillermo Romarate Jr. of Surigao del Norte province and Imelda Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte province expressed fears that lawless elements and splintered groups could launch attacks anytime.

Leonen, however, allayed their fears, pointing out that there were no recorded skirmishes between government troops and the MILF this year and that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) led by rogue MILF Commander Umbra Kato has been defeated.

“This administration recognizes that there will always be a splintered group coming out after this [agreement]. We have the BIFF but they have been dislodged from Camp Omar which is an embedded territory of the MILF,” he said. “This agreement is political, building confidence and trust. As long as we build confidence and trust, we will overcome the obstacles. The words on this agreement can actually produce lasting peace.”