Deal with Philippine government opens Bangsamoro to investments in energy sector

By Riyaz ul Khaliq and Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Bangsamoro autonomous region in southern Philippines has signed a deal with Manila to open the Muslim-majority region to investments in unexplored energy sector, the region’s chief executive told Anadolu on Friday.

“We signed guidelines on the exploration of energy, particularly gas and coal, in Bangsamoro region,” Murad Ebrahim said over the phone from the Philippines.

The deal was signed on Thursday in Manila in presence of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“We are developing the energy sector of the Bangsamoro for the economy of the region and the entire Philippines!” Marcos said on Twitter.

The two sides signed what is known as the Intergovernmental Energy Board Circular on Joint Award of Petroleum Service Contracts and Coal Operating Contracts.

Through the circular, Marcos said, “we can ensure a fair process of awarding petroleum service and coal operating contracts to local and foreign investors.

“In addition, we can also ensure that the environment and the welfare of the communities are protected in the exploration and construction of new energy sources.”

Ebrahim told Anadolu that the circular allows locals as well as foreigners to explore on and off shore gas and mining in the southern region, home to around 5 million Muslims.

The deal came as several foreign investors expressed interest to explore the energy resources in the region.

“This is the first time that we agreed to (such) guidelines,” Ebrahim added.

In 2018, a decades-long insurgency by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led to peace negotiations with the Philippines government, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was formed in southern Philippines.

The Bangsamoro parliament has 41 MILF nominees, while the remaining 39 are picked by the national government in Manila.

- Challenges to decommissions of ex-combatants

Ebrahim also acknowledged challenges facing the decommissioning process of former combatants due to lack of resources promised by Manila.

“There are commitments made by the national government to support the decommissioning … Some (finances) have not yet been delivered until now,” he said.

But, he added, “we are working as Manila said it will comply with the promises.”

Huseyin Oruc, a Turkish representative in the Bangsamoro Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), told Anadolu that the decommissioning process in Bangsamoro is planned in four stages.

“It is estimated that approximately 40,000 combatants will lay down their arms and adopt civilian life,” he said.

“With the disarmament process of roughly 25,000 combatants, the third stage was successfully completed,” he told Anadolu following his recent trip to Bangsamoro in May.

The TPMT was formed in 2013 in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur to monitor the implementation of peace agreements signed between the Philippine government and MILF combatants.

“During the fourth stage which is critical, it is planned that 14,000 more combatants will lay down their arms. But in order to do this, there are some obligations that the Philippine government and the Bangsamoro government must apply,” said Oruc.

He pointed out “inability” of the government to pay the promised package for each combatant who lays down arms.

“Only a small amount of money has been paid in cash against what was originally promised,” he said. Oruc added that Bangsamoro police force has also not fully established and different agencies are still working on it.

On the general amnesty announced in the aftermath of formation of BARMM by Manila for crimes stemming from the long-time clashes, the Turkish representative said: “A national commission has been established to determine who will benefit from the amnesty and the process is expected to accelerate now.”