PRESS STATEMENT: IBS

August 22, 2008

By Abhoud Syed M. Lingga
Executive Director, Institute of Bangsamoro Studies


We call on the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to extend the mandate, which will expire on September 8, 2008, of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

The GRP and MILF peace panels came to an agreement on the establishment of the IMT in 2001. The functions of the IMT are to observe and monitor implementation of cessation of hostilities and the socio-economic development aspects of signed agreements.

Malaysia lead the IMT with contingents coming from Brunei, Libya and Japan.

After the deployment of the IMT in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao clashes between government and MILF forces declined significantly from 698 and 559 incidents in 2002 and 2003, respectively, to only 15 in 2004, 10 in 2005, 13 in 2006, 7 in 2007, and one in the first quarter of 2008.

After the number of IMT monitors was significantly reduced when Malaysia decided to pull out 21 of its peacekeepers, clashes between government and MILF forces surge resulting to deaths of combatants from both sides and civilians, and displacement of hundreds of thousand of people.

Recent events show once again the urgency of third party monitors to sustain the ceasefire in order to keep the peace process on track.

We also call on the Malaysian Government to reconsider its decision to pull out from the IMT.

We see it necessary at this point in time for the GRP and MILF to observe ceasefire and work out mechanism to sustain the cessation of hostilities.

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Abhoud Syed M. Lingga
Fax: (+63 64) 4213551
Email: aslingga@yahoo.com