Peace talks
PHILIPINES: Peace talks reach agreement on troop reform
During the peace negotiations taking place in Malaysia, the Philippine government and the armed opposition group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have reached an agreement on the normalisation of troops. The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, signed in October 2012, had four annexes pending discussion: transitional mechanisms, wealth-sharing, power-sharing (signed in February, in July, and in December 2013 respectively), and normalisation of troops. The annex on troop reform paves the way for the deactivation of the 11,000 MILF fighters and the laying down of their weapons. According to Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista, transitional justice will be used to deal with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members with pending arrest warrants, although this aspect is still being negotiated. (ABS-CBN news, 18/01/2014; Inquirer, 01/01/14; 26/01/14; GMA News, 30/01/14)