International Monitoring Team
{{Short description|Multinational peace process monitor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
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| agencyname = International Monitoring Team
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| abbreviation = IMT
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| formedmonthday = October
| formedyear = 2004
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| dissolved = June 2022
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| volunteers = 60
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| country = Philippines
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| legaljuris = Mindanao
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| headquarters = Cotabato City, Philippines
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{{Unbulleted list|6 countries|{{Flag|Brunei}}|{{Flag|Indonesia}}|{{Flag|Japan}} |{{Flag|Libyan Arab Jamahiriya}} (2004–2009) |{{Flag|Malaysia}} |{{Flag|Norway}}}}
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{{Unbulleted list|1 supranational union|{{Flag|European Union}}}}
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The International Monitoring Team (IMT) was a monitoring team composed of 60 members headquartered in Cotabato City, Mindanao of the Philippines to monitor the implementation of peace between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and one of the largest rebels in the region, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Moro conflict. The team is led by Malaysia,{{cite web|url=https://peace.gov.ph/2016/11/terms-reference-international-monitoring-team-imt/|title=Terms of Reference of the International Monitoring Team (IMT)|publisher=Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=March 12, 2017}} followed by Brunei Darussalam,{{cite web|url=http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22244%3Ainternational-monitoring-team-in-mindanao&Itemid=106|title=International Monitoring Team in Mindanao|publisher=Radio Televisyen Brunei|date=September 5, 2014|access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125948/http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22244%3Ainternational-monitoring-team-in-mindanao&Itemid=106|archive-date=April 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} Indonesia,{{cite web|url=http://jdih.ristekdikti.go.id/?q=perundangan%2Fkonten%2F10411|title=Tim Pengamat Indonesia dalam International Monitoring Team di Filipina Selatan|language=id|publisher=Jaringan Dokumentasi Dan Informasi Hukum, Kementerian Riset, Teknologi dan Pendidikan Tinggi|date=February 24, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313045316/http://jdih.ristekdikti.go.id/?q=perundangan%2Fkonten%2F10411|url-status=dead}} Japan,{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2010/2/0226_01.html|title=Resumption of Dispatch of Development Experts to the International Monitoring Team in the Philippines|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan|date=February 26, 2010|access-date=March 12, 2017}} Libya,{{cite web|url=http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=775|title=Libya Increases Participation in Mindanao Peace Process|publisher=The Tripoli Post|date=May 13, 2007|access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312201213/http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=775|url-status=dead}} Norway{{cite web|url=http://www.norway.ph/news/Events/Norway-supports-peace-process-takes-active-role-in-the-decommissioning-process/|title=Norway supports peace process, takes active role in the decommissioning process|publisher=Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila|date=February 27, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2017}} and subsequently the European Union.{{cite web|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/philippines/documents/press_corner/20100608_02_en.pdf|title=(Press Release) EU confirms willingness to participate in International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao|publisher=European Union|date=May 18, 2010|access-date=March 12, 2017}}
History
The IMT was launched in October 2004 by Malaysia together with Brunei and Libya to oversee the situation after the GPH and MILF signed their ceasefire agreement in 2003.{{cite book|author=Peng Er Lam|title=Japan's Peace-Building Diplomacy in Asia: Seeking a More Active Political Role|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a4gg87ELZuoC&pg=PA80|date=June 2, 2009|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-12506-7|pages=80–}} In October 2006, Japan began to join the monitoring team. Armed conflict however still resumed and the security situation deteriorated until August 2008 when the national co-ordination surrounding resolutions of pending land problems failed. During the period, the lead was taken by Libya which then rose skepticism from the MILF over the slowing process.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/95079/news/regions/milf-skeptical-over-libya-lead-role-in-imt|title=MILF skeptical over Libya lead role in IMT|publisher=GMA News|date=May 14, 2008|access-date=March 12, 2017}} Malaysia then decided to withdraw its contingent in November 2008 and the IMT temporarily suspended its activities in 2009. The IMT became active again in February 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/88902/philippines-hopeful-signs-end-mindanao-conflict|title=Hopeful signs for end to Mindanao conflict|publisher=IRIN News|date=April 23, 2010|access-date=March 12, 2017}} the same year when Norway began to join the monitoring team.{{cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90851/7016180.html|title=Norway joins int'l group monitoring Mindanao peace process|author=张茜|work=Xinhua News Agency|publisher=People's Daily Online|date=June 7, 2010|access-date=March 12, 2017}} Indonesia also joined the IMT in 2011 after being invited by the Philippines in 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2011/04/11/indonesia-joins-the-international-monitoring-team/|title=Indonesia joins the International Monitoring Team|publisher=Government of the Philippines|date=April 11, 2011|access-date=March 12, 2017}}
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front would sign the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014. This in turn led to Bangsamoro autonomous region being formed in the southern Philippines in 2019 as part of the peace process. In March 2022, the Philippine government led by President Rodrigo Duterte informed that the IMT that it would no longer extend its mission. The IMT officially left the Philippines in June 2022.{{cite news |last1=Maitem |first1=Jeoffrey |title=Foreign peace monitors depart southern Philippines after nearly 2 decades |url=https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/foreign-peace-monitors-depart-southern-philippines-after-nearly-2-decades-07152022124503.html |access-date=14 August 2022 |work=Benar News |date=15 July 2022 |language=en}}
At its peak the IMT had 60 personnel but this figure gradually decreased over time.
Order of Mission IMT
Malaysia
- Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF)
- Royal Malaysia Police (RMP)
- Small team of ministry by civilian personnel
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Indonesia
- Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI)
- Indonesian National Police (POLRI)
Brunei
- Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF)
- Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF)
Libya (2004-2009)
Roles
Areas coverage
Notable former IMT
Notable servicemen who took part in the IMT are:
- General (Retired) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, former Chief of Defence and Malaysian Army{{Cite web |last=Jeoffrey Maitem |date=2022-07-15 |title=Foreign peace monitors depart southern Philippines after nearly 2 decades |url=https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/foreign-peace-monitors-depart-southern-philippines-after-nearly-2-decades-07152022124503.html |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.benarnews.org}}
- General (Retired) Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain, former Chief of Malaysian Army{{Cite web |date=2017-02-21 |title=General Datuk Wira Zamrose Bin Mohd Zain, Head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team bids farewell to EU Ambassador Jessen S |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/21015 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.eeas.europa.eu |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-04-14 |title=CG ABDULLAH ATTENDED THE IMT-M10 AND IMT-M11 HANDOVER CEREMONY IN COTABATO CITY |url=https://www.kln.gov.my/web/phl_davao-city/news-from-mission/-/blogs/cg-abdullah-attended-the-imt-m10-and-imt-m11-handover-ceremony-in-cotabato-city_1 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.kln.gov.my}}
- Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, former Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force and Armed Forces{{Cite web |title=MINDEF - Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces |url=https://www.mindef.gov.bn/SitePages/Commander%20Royal%20Brunei%20Armed%20Forces.aspx |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=www.mindef.gov.bn}}
- Brigadier General (Retired) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Razak Abdul Kadir, former Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force and Deputy Minister of Defence{{Cite web |date=2014-04-03 |title=Joint Force Commander |url=http://www.mindef.gov.bn/SitePages/Joint%20Force%20Commander.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711010844/https://www.mindef.gov.bn/SitePages/Joint%20Force%20Commander.aspx |archive-date=July 11, 2024 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=www.mindef.gov.bn |url-status=bot: unknown }}
- First Admiral (Retired) Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry Serudi, former Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy{{Cite web |title=12th Commander |url=https://navy.mindef.gov.bn/Site%20Pages/12th%20Commander.aspx |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=navy.mindef.gov.bn}}
- Colonel (Retired) Ismaon Zainie, former Chief of Staff of the Joint Force Headquarters of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces
- Colonel (Retired) Azman Bangkol, former Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force
- Colonel Muhammad Wata, Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force
- Muhyamin Wahab, former member civilian staff IMT of Ministry of Defence (Malaysia){{Cite web |date=2018-04-03 |title=Directorate of Force Capability Development |url=http://www.mindef.gov.bn/SitePages/Directorate%20of%20Force%20Capability%20Development |archive-url=https://mindef12.rssing.com/chan-74038471/article66.html |archive-date=2018-04-04 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.mindef.gov.bn}} and write his book entitled Debaran Semusim di Cotabato [http://aburazeen.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-review-debaran-semusim-di-cotabato.html]