THE Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) this week held its 2rd meeting to discuss continuing efforts to build peace and ensure progress in Mindanao region, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

According to the Philippine National Police Peace Process and Development Center headed by Brigadier General Augustus P. Placer, top officials from the Marcos government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front attended the meeting held in Lanang, Davao City.

The Marcos government is continuing the former Duterte administration’s efforts to push forward the Comprehensive Philippine Peace Process in Mindanao and since last year have been recognizing the major role being played by their peace partners in fostering unity and progress in the region.

It has also been very supportive of programs and projects to enable former combatants to successfully reintegrate into mainstream society and live as peaceful and productive citizens.

The April 24 to 26 conference at the Waterfront Insular Hotel aimed to discuss measures to formulate and update the JPSC’s Work Plan in accordance with its functions as outlined in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro or CAB and specifically on the recent developments in the implementation of the Normalization Program.

It also focused on the formulation of Security Arrangements and Operations of Joint Peace and Security Teams or JPSTs.

Army Major Gen. Francisco Ariel A. Felicidario III, the co-chair of the Government of the Philippines JPSC and MILF JPSC co-chair, Srnior Minister Von Al Haq presided over the meeting where the implementation of the Annex on Normalization under the CAB was principally discussed.

Those who represented the government include GPH JNC co-chair Mr. Ariel A. Hernandez, retired Police Maj. Gen. Eden T. Ugale, Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Donald M. Guimran, Navy Captain Norsal D. Dimaporo, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Peace Process and Development Office; Colonel Joseph R. Arguelles, the assistant chief of the PNP-PPDC; Lieutenant Col. Heinrich P. Alafriz, the chief of the Bangsamoro Peace Process Section of the PNP-PPDC; and Army Maj. Michael A. Andres of the JPSC Operations Center.

Participants on the side of the MILF were Mr. Isah Bato, Mr. Dan Asnawie, Mr. Kashmier Mohammad, Mr. Gil Cambronero and Mr. Almish Guimba.

Other matters discussed during the meeting were the 2023 1st quarter accomplishment report of the JPSC, updates on the construction of the remaining uncompleted JPST Stations and the move to designate additional JPST deployment sites.

Other concerns raised were the approval of activity design for the conduct of re-echo sessions among JPSTs on Conflict Transformation and Monitoring and Evaluation in partnership with non-violent peace force; the presentation and approval of the partnership with the Immigration Organization for Migration on their proposed projects and programs to support the JPSTs.

The PNP-PPDO, thru Col. Arguelles also reported the accommodation of 200 JPST members by the Regional Training Center of the National Police Training Institute in BAR for the conduct of a month-long JPST training course.

Arguelles also recommended the clustering of JPST stations for on-site visitations and discussed issues pertaining to the recall of PNP personnel detailed with JPSTs.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Felicidario recommended the issuance of appropriate awards and medals to the JPST first responders during separate ambuscades which took place in Maguing, Lanao del Sur and Basilan.