Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (RPM-M)

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Country/entity: Philippines
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (RPM-M)
Date: 28 Oct 2005
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Philippine Insurgencies (1968 - )
The Maoist Insurgencies (1968 - )

Philippines-NDF

The Philippines have been defined by a series of center-periphery and often ideologically Maoist, separatist insurgencies. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), began its war against the central Philippine government in 1968 through their armed wing – the New People’s Army (NPA). Further legitimacy was gained through the establishment of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in 1973. Grievances were predominantly opposed to the corruption and repression under the authoritarian Marcos regime.

Philippines-Cordillera

With the overthrow of Marcos’ regime in 1986, the CPP factionalized further to take on more localized characteristics. The Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) broke away from the NDF in 1986 to focus on the protection of the Cordilleran people and land in northern Luzon. Hostilities were formally ended in July 2011, with an agreement signed between the central government, the CPLA and the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA) that allowed for the absorption of CPLA fighters into the Philippine Army and the re-working of the CBA-CPLA into a socio-development organisation.

Philippines-RPM-P

Meanwhile, purge among the CPP in the early 1990s, encouraged the formation of a parallel party, the Revolutionary Workers Party (RPM-P). Their armed wing, the Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB) which had carried out a number of assassinations during the 1980s at the bequest of the CPP, followed suit and allied themselves with the RPM-P in 1997 forming the (RPM-P-RPA-ABB). Severely weakened by the split with the CPP and with the arrest of several key figures, the RPM-P-RPA-ABB signed a peace agreement in December 2000, which encouraged the RPM-P’s branch in Mindanao to break away in 2001.

The CPP-NPA has only participated in intermittent talks with the government. Talks halted in 2004 when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration sought closer ties with the U.S. in the war on terror and added the CPP-NPA to the list of terrorist organisations, renewing violence. Following the launch of a counter-insurgency by the Philippine government, negotiations have been further delayed due to suspected internal differences between the CPP ‘old guard’ and younger members.

The Moro Insurgency (1968 - )

Philippines-Mindanao

The Moro Insurgency began in 1968, in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago after the killing of Moro Commandos, the so-called Jabidah Massacre, by the Philippine Army following a plot to invade Sabah province in Malaysia. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) captured a swath of territory in the mid-1970s. In an attempt to stem the violence, the constitution was reformed and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was created 1990 granting a devolution of power to the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Following the establishment of the ARMM, the MNLF splintered into a range of smaller groups including Islamic factions such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayef Goup (ASG). The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed in 2014.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Philippines: RAM process
Parties: For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines

By

FRANKLIN M. QUIJANO

Chairperson

GRP Panel

FROILAN R. MELENDREZ

Member

For the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao

By

ENRIQUE B. DE LOS REYES

Political Consultant (For the Chairperson RPMM Panel)

FREIDERICK MONTES

Member

ARMANDO ORBIS

Member
Third parties: Witnesses:

HON. RENE V. SARMIENTO

OIC – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

ARLENE J BAG-AO

Member

Independent Secretariat

RAFAEL D. NABRE

Head

RPMM Secretariat

CHARMAINE MAE D. BACONGA

Member

Independent Secretariat
Description: The parties agree to formalize the informal ceasefire and set out further negotiate with the aim of a Final Peace Agreement.

Agreement document: PH_051028_Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1:
Whereas, the ongoing peace talks between the GRP and the RPM-M are characterized by a spirit of understanding, sincerity and goodwill;

Whereas, the GRP and RPM-M are currently observing an informal ceasefire while jointly undertaking consultation in the formulation of the local peace and development agenda in the communities identified by the RPM-M as priority development areas;
...
NOW, THEREFORE, the GRP and RPM-M, through its authorized representatives, agree as they hereby agree to the following:
Commit towards conserving and developing human and natural resources, and ecological balance.
Finalize the list of identified development areas in order to facilitate the implementation of priority projects in the said areas under the framework of sustainable development.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: Page 1:
NOW, THEREFORE, the GRP and RPM-M, through its authorized representatives, agree as they hereby agree to the following:

Commit towards conserving and developing human and natural resources, and ecological balance.

Finalize the list of identified development areas in order to facilitate the implementation of priority projects in the said areas under the framework of sustainable development.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1:
Whereas, the GRP and RPM-M are currently observing an informal ceasefire while jointly undertaking consultation in the formulation of the local peace and development agenda in the communities identified by the RPM-M as priority development areas;
Whereas, in view of the above, it is essential for the GRP and RPM-M to enter into an agreement on the cessation of hostilities:
...
NOW, THEREFORE, the GRP and RPM-M, through its authorized representatives, agree as they hereby agree to the following:
...
Commit its respective forces to a cessation of hostilities (COH) nationwide by not committing any hostile and/or provocative act.

Direct its respective Secretariats and/or GRP Technical Working Group/RPMM Peace Committee to formulate and finalize the guidelines and ground rules for the implementation and monitoring of the COH including the structural and coordinative mechanisms within a period of one month after the signing of this Agreement.

Page 2:
This Agreement shall take effect on the 28th day of October 2005.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: http://theirwords.org/media/transfer/doc/sc_ph_rpm_m_2003_48-9dee982417a60f204247613a87a4479a.pdf

Agreement on the cessation of hostilities

Between the

Government of the Republic of the Philippines

And Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (RPM-M)

Whereas, the GRP and RPM-M are committed to uphold and respect the Joint Commitment to Pursue Peace and Development signed on 23 September 200;

Whereas, the ongoing peace talks between the GRP and the RPM-M are characterized by a spirit of understanding, sincerity and goodwill;

Whereas, the GRP and RPM-M are currently observing an informal ceasefire while jointly undertaking consultation in the formulation of the local peace and development agenda in the communities identified by the RPM-M as priority development areas;

Whereas, in view of the above, it is essential for the GRP and RPM-M to enter into an agreement on the cessation of hostilities:

NOW, THEREFORE, the GRP and RPM-M, through its authorized representatives, agree as they hereby agree to the following:

Commit towards conserving and developing human and natural resources, and ecological balance.

Finalize the list of identified development areas in order to facilitate the implementation of priority projects in the said areas under the framework of sustainable development.

Commit its respective forces to a cessation of hostilities (COH) nationwide by not committing any hostile and/or provocative act.

Direct its respective Secretariats and/or GRP Technical Working Group/RPMM Peace Committee to formulate and finalize the guidelines and ground rules for the implementation and monitoring of the COH including the structural and coordinative mechanisms within a period of one month after the signing of this Agreement.

Proceed with the conduct of formal peace talks towards the signing of a Final Peace Agreement.

This Agreement shall take effect on the 28th day of October 2005.

SO AGREED.

DONE at the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center, in the City of Cagayan de Oro Philippines, this 28th day of October 2005.

For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines

FRANKLIN M. QUIJANO

Chairperson

GRP Panel

FROILAN R. MELENDREZ

Member

For the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao

ENRIQUE B. DE LOS REYES

Political Consultant (For the Chairperson RPMM Panel)

FREIDERICK MONTES

Member

ARMANDO ORBIS

Member

Witnesses:

HON. RENE V. SARMIENTO

OIC – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

ARLENE J BAG-AO

Member

Independent Secretariat

RAFAEL D. NABRE

Head

RPMM Secretariat

CHARMAINE MAE D. BACONGA

Member

Independent Secretariat