Turkish envoy helps spur Philippines peace process

By Ali Ihsan Cam and Ahmet Furkan Mercan

ANKARA (AA) - A Muslim group which spent decades engaged in armed struggle against the Philippines government in the country’s south is now running a local government after entering a peace agreement last year.

The peace process between Philippine authorities and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has reached an advanced stage, Turkish Ambassador to Ethiopia Fatih Ulusoy, also head of the International Decommissioning Body (IDB) -- which is overseeing the MILF disarmament -- told Anadolu Agency.

The Philippines' landmark Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last year, established an autonomous region for the Muslims living in the southern Philippines. A referendum this January and February in the region ratified the law, paving the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Duterte and members of the new autonomous government -- which includes MILF members -- will govern the regional administration until 2022 when elections will be held.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Ulusoy spoke on the peace process, the disarmament phase, the autonomous government’s approach, and the role of Turkey.

Anadolu Agency: There was a chronic problem in the Philippines for many years. With the establishment of a comprehensive autonomous region after half a century, there is progress towards peace. During this process, a committee and sub-committees were established to follow the peace process. You are chairing one of them. First of all, could you tell us about the functioning of the IDB?

Fatih Ulusoy: It was a process with many ups and downs, continuing over a long time. As a result of the peace process in the southern Philippines, there was a framework agreement in 2014 with two drafts, called the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

This agreement has an attachment titled normalization. In its annexure, the establishment of the IDB was decided by the parties, namely the Philippines government and the MILF. It is not under the roof of the UN or any other international organization. But it is a key constituent in the normalization structure.

At that time, parties decided to hand over the presidency of the IDB to Turkey. I find this very important. Beyond the importance, it is a concrete sign of confidence in Turkey. In addition, Turkey is making important efforts for the peaceful resolution of conflicts in many regions globally. Apart from working on the ground, it is also playing a significant role in UN bodies. We are holding a conference on this subject in our country. Peaceful solutions to global problems and disputes have an important place in the foreign policy and diplomacy of Turkey.

The peace process in the southern Philippines has multiple mechanisms. There are many different dimensions, such as the political dimension -- for monitoring the cease-fire and the security dimension -- for obtaining socioeconomic rights of the MILF members. Also, the issue of disarmament, which is being monitored by the IDB. I have been on this mission this year.

The process of disarmament has not yet started definitely. A limited number of MILF members were disarmed in 2015. Since then, Bangsamoro has been in the process of delivering a list. They submitted it last month. During my second visit to Muslim Mindanao's capital Cotabato in the second half of March, we agreed on some important points. We can say the process has gained momentum. In particular, the process reached a tangible point after the peace agreement adopted by the Philippine Assembly and signed by President Duterte in 2018. As a result, in February, the region of Mindanao, as per the referendum, was named the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, governed by Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). The transitional authority has 80 members. We can call it a parliamentary system of government. This is a three-year process until 2022. In February 2019, the BTA was sworn in at President Duterte's office.

- Insurgents part of transition government

Q: Can we say that this transition process will gradually lead to setting up a full-fledged government?

Ulusoy: Yes. There will be a transitional government in the region. The borders of the region were demarcated in the referendum.

Q: Do armed insurgents have a say in the governing process?

Ulusoy: Yes, off course. President Duterte held a ceremony for the transition administration members in his palace. He also attended the opening session of the Bangsamoro Parliament in Cotabato in March and spoke in a very positive tone. This is very positive in terms of the overall peace process.

Q: Is there a calendar indicating the inventory information and the delivery process of weapons?

Ulusoy: The annexure of the Bangsamoro agreement for normalization stipulates the establishment of a disarmament commission. Both parties have signed it. There are two additional protocols governing the operation. The duties of this commission are listed here. The Moro members, who are subjected to disarmament processes, are given an identity.

Q: What kind of identity?

Ulusoy: This is an identity to define their status. They have no identity at the moment. They require an identity to enter the system. This mechanism includes getting them into the state health insurance system, to enable them to benefit from certain socioeconomic packages.

- Disarmament process on schedule

Q: This organization is in the first stage of a process which may take many years. What are the financial implications?

Ulusoy: The disarmament process plays an important role in the transition of the armed members of the Moro front towards civilian life. But there are steps to take beforehand, such as cessation of the conflict, the cease-fire, and most importantly the members of the Moro Front taking on the duties of the local government. We are obliged to follow only the disarmament aspect of the process.

We have a budget and regular spending. Until this year, we had on our staff around 40 people. Considering the fact that the activities have taken more concrete shape, right now we have 90 people working. Most of them are local Filipinos. We employ persons approved by both parties. Turkey has committed to a contribution of $500,000. In addition, a few other countries are also contributing. Most of these contributions are allocated to purchasing equipment.

Q: The people had been fighting for over many years. The parties seem willing to return to normal life. Are there any psychological issues? What are the risks of not getting results when transforming warriors into normal civilians?

Ulusoy: I want to focus on two elements in this regard. One example is from the field. Although the number of people in the region who explained their commitment to the Daesh terrorist group is very limited, there are some elements. The government and the front are fighting together against these groups. This is the most concrete indication of the joint effort to bring peace and normalization to the region.

And the second factor is that both the federal as well as new local government are aware how much progress will be made in the coming period and how much development they will undertake, to improve living standards. This will have a positive reflection in the public eye.

- Socioeconomic push to eliminate terror

Q: Is the government projecting a concrete employment plan and investment incentive to enable armed groups to be absorbed in society? Or is it just a show of rhetoric?

Ulusoy: We know that many officials from the government are involved in socio-economic progress. They have started to operate. I am personally optimistic that the will of both sides will have concrete reflections and that the process will move in a positive direction.

Q: You mentioned the danger of the Daesh terror group. Is there a risk that it could harm the process? Do they have an impact on local people?

Ulusoy: Not only for the Philippines but for the whole world, the threat of the Daesh terrorist group is a matter of concern. The steps, as mentioned, are very important to fight against Daesh. Improving living standards in the regions, and providing education and employment opportunities to young people, are important to ensure that they attain a certain level of living standards, and are not interested in joining terrorism. I observe that there is a necessary consciousness of this issue in the region.

In order to eliminate the threat of terrorism and to starve the Daesh terrorist group, the employment rate in the region, the level of development, and raising living standards carry great importance. Turkey will give the necessary support to various institutions in this regard. The related efforts are being carried out in coordination with our ministry and other organizations.