Maguindanao, Philippines – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), turned over a newly constructed Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) Station in Brgy. Libutan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao to the Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) on 25 March 2022 as part of the multi-stakeholder efforts to maintain peace and stability in the area.

The JPSTs are a peacekeeping force composed of 7 members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 8 members from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and 15 members from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) per team.

The JPSTs have trained together to maintain transitional security in areas mutually selected by the Philippine Government and the MILF to aid the interim period of the peace process in the Bangsamoro region.

In her turnover message, Dr. Yumiko Kaneko, Project Manager from UNDP Philippines, noted that the initiative “marks a very important step forward in the normalization process envisaged in the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro in 2014. Transitional security is one of the most critical issues in the implementation of any peace agreement. While COVID-19 had slowed our collective effort, we are delighted to lead the JPST deployment.” She also expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for their generous and sustained support and to the OPAPRU and the joint peace process mechanisms for their steadfast partnership.

Mr. Fumiaki Okada, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, signified the Japanese Government’s commitment to supporting BARMM and noted that: “what makes the Mindanao peace process unique is not just its steady progress toward consolidated peace and development, but also the initiative of the Pilipino and Bangsamoro people to determine your own future by yourselves. Please rest assured that Japan will continue to cooperate with Bangsamoro people for a better future deserved by all.”

Deputy Minister Von Al Haq, MILF JPSC Co-Chair, confirmed the deployment of the new team in Mamasapano and reaffirmed the support of the MILF to the peace and development under the new Bangsamoro Government.

“The JPSC and the JPSTs are major parts of the backbone of the Bangsamoro Peace Agreement. Their role is indispensable to ensure the Bangsamoro communities will no longer suffer conflicts and war. We welcome and we are very grateful for all the support given to the JPSTs. And always appreciate the generous cooperation of UNDP and the contribution from Japan,” said MGen Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, GPH JPSC Co-Chair.

On behalf of Mayor Akmad A. Ampatuan Jr., Executive Secretary of the Mamasapano local government, Mr Rogelio Gornez joined the turnover ceremony and expressed his appreciation to the Philippine Government, the MILF, the Government of Japan and UNDP for considering Mamasapano as one of the locations of the JPST stations.

Mamasapano is known as a high-risk security area and the local government unit expressed full commitment to provide support in the convergence to sustain peace efforts being done by both parties.

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