International Monitoring Team


The International Monitoring Team is 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 and one of the largest rebels in the region, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Moro conflict. The team is led by Malaysia, and followed by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Norway and subsequently the European Union.

History

The IMT was launched in October 2004 by Malaysia together with Brunei and Libya to oversee the situation after GPH and MILF signing their ceasefire agreement in 2003. In October 2006, Japan began to participate into the monitoring team. Armed conflict however still resumed and 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 raise sceptism from the MILF over the slowing process. Malaysia then decide to withdrew its contingent in November 2008 and the IMT temporarily suspend its activities in 2009. The IMT returned in February 2010, the same year when Norway began to join the monitoring team. While Indonesia joined the IMT in 2011 after being invited by the Philippines in 2009.

Roles

IMT is responsible to monitor the security, humanitarian, rehabilitation and development aspects, socio-economic assistance and civilian protection.

Areas coverage

IMT covering the areas of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan.