Agreement to Sustain the Quest for Peace (II)

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Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Agreement to Sustain the Quest for Peace (II)
Date: 11 Mar 1998
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/territory
Peace process: Philippines - Mindanao process
Parties: ASec. Jovenal F. Lazaga, GRP Technical Committee Chairman;
MGen. Joselin B. Nazareno, GRP SCCH Chairman;
Atty. Lanang S. Ali, MILF Technical Committee Acting Chairman;
Atty. Omar B. Umpar, MILF SCCH Acting Chairman
Third parties: -
Description: Agreed on the location, composition and operation of the Quick Response Team (QRT). QRT to immediately address a reported conflict/confrontation between the GRP and MILF Panel and GRP and MILF CCCH to convene immediately to assess and respond to the reports and findings of the QRT.

Agreement document: PH_980311_Agreement Creating a QRT.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: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 1, Preamble
[...] Whereas, there is an urgent need to address these conflicts/confrontations immediately as they occur in order to avoid further exacerbation of the conflict that may create displacement and destruction to both human lives and properties.
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: Page 2, 2. The QRT shall be composed of the following:
2.3 IFFC Principals – one representative each from the Notre Dame University (NDU), Maguindanaon Professionals and Employees Association Inc. (MAPEA) and Cotabato City Media Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCMMPC). Additional membership to the IFFC may be made upon joint approval by the GRP and MILF Panels through their respective CCCH. The names of the alternate members to the QRT will be submitted as soon as possible.
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: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Proportionality
Page 1, Preamble
Whereas, the Quick Response Team (QRT) is conceptualized on account of the confrontations/conflicts on the ground between the elements of the GRP and the MILF despite the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH) signed by the GRP and the MILF Panels on July 18, 1997 on Cagayan de Oro City.

Page 1, Preamble
[...] Now, therefore, the GRP and the MILF have agreed to create as they hereby create a Quick Response Team, which shall be hereinafter referred to as QRT composed of representatives from the GRP, MILF and the IFFC to immediately address alleged violations of the AGCH. The QRT shall be chaired by the IFFC Chairman, or in his absence, by the IFFC Vice-Chairman.

Page 1, 2. The QRT shall be composed of the following:
2.1 GRP Representatives – three (3) permanent members from the Secretariat of the GRP CCCH, three (3) alternate members;
2.2 MILF Representatives - three (3) permanent members from the Secretariat of the MILD CCCH, three (3) alternate members;

Page 2, 2. The QRT can avail itself of assistance from the following in the performance of its duties:
a) The AFP Commander in the area concerned;
b) The PNP Provincial Director of the Province concerned;
c) The MILF Commander or any other officers operating in the area; and

4. Upon receipt of the report, the QRT Chairman shall immediately convene the QRT, make proper representation to the two principals and coordinate with the local commanders through the official representatives of both the GRP and the MILF regarding the quick response. It may conduct ocular inspections to assess and defuse the tension of the conflict.

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: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 2, 2. The QRT shall be composed of the following:
2.3 IFFC Principals: one representative each from the Notre Dame University (NDU), Maguindanao Professionals and Employees Association Inc. (MAPEA) and Cotabato City Media Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCMMPC). [...]
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: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Preamble
Whereas, the Quick Response Team (QRT) is conceptualized on account of the confrontations/conflicts on the ground between the elements of the GRP and the MILF
despite the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH) signed by the GRP and the MILF Panels on July 18, 1997 on Cagayan de Oro City.

Page 1, Preamble
[…] Whereas, there is an urgent need to address these conflicts/confrontations immediately as they occur in order to avoid further exacerbation of the conflict that may create displacement and destruction to both human lives and properties.

Page 1, Preamble
[…] Whereas, under normal conditions and terms of the AGCH, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) is the body primarily tasked to settle and address these incidents and alleged violations of the Ceasefire Agreement between the GRP and the MILF. However, the CCCH is formally constituted and does observe due protocols and other formalities required of any official body. As such, the CCCH is not capable of immediate response to conflicts and confrontations on the ground. The CCCH meets when conflicts/confrontations have reached a crisis level or after unnecessary casualties and destruction have been inflicted against each other and on the civilian populace.

Page 1, Preamble
[…] WHEREAS, the Independent Fact Finding Committee (IFFC) cannot immediately respond to a crisis situation because its very nature is passive. It acts only on matters that the CCCH cannot mutually agree on. The IFFC enters into the scene when there is no agreement in the CCCH on what actually happened on the ground. In short, the IFFC becomes involved when the conflict/confrontation has reached a level of mutual disagreement between the GRP and the MILF.

Page 2, The Operationalization of the QRT.
3. The QRT shall immediately address a reported conflict/confrontation between the GRP and the MILF forces. The reports may come from any of the following sources: GRP Panel, MILF Panel, and the IFFC.

Page 2, The Operationalization of the QRT.
4. Upon receipt of the report, the QRT Chairman shall immediately convene the QRT, make proper representation to the two principals and coordinate with the local commanders through the official representatives of both the GRP and the MILF regarding the quick response. It may conduct ocular inspections to assess and defuse the tension of the conflict.

Page 2, The Operationalization of the QRT.
5. The GRP and MILF CCCH shall convene immediately to assess and respond to the reports and findings of the QRT.
Police: Page 2, 2. The QRT can avail itself of assistance from the following in the performance of its duties: b) The PNP Provincial Director of the Province concerned;
Armed forces: Page 2, 2. The QRT can avail itself of assistance from the following in the performance of its duties: a) The AFP Commander in the area concerned;

Page 2, 3. The QRT shall immediately address a reported conflict/confrontation between the GRP and MILF forces. The reports may come from any of the following sources: GRP Panel, MILF Panel and the IFFC.

Page 2, 4. Upon receipt of the report, the QRT Chairman shall immediately convene the QRT, make proper representation to the two principals and coordinate with the local commanders through the official representatives of both the GRP and the MILF regarding the quick response. It may conduct ocular inspections to assess and defuse the tension of the conflict.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, 2. The QRT shall be composed of the following: [...] The QRT can avail itself of assistance from the following in the performance of its duties: c) The MILF Commander or any other Officers operating in the area, [...]

Page 2, 3. The QRT shall immediately address a reported conflict/confrontation between the GRP and MILF forces. The reports may come from any of the following sources: GRP Panel, MILF Panel and the IFFC.

Page 2, 4. Upon receipt of the report, the QRT Chairman shall immediately convene the QRT,
make proper representation to the two principals and coordinate with the local commanders through the official representatives of both the GRP and the MILF regarding the quick response. It may conduct ocular inspections to assess and defuse the tension of the conflict.
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: Page 1, Preamble
Whereas, the Independent Fact Finding Committee (IFFC) cannot immediately respond to a crisis situation because its very nature is passive. It acts only on matters that the CCCH cannot mutually agree on. The IFFC enters into the scene when there is no agreement in the CCCH on what actually happened on the ground. In short, the IFFC becomes involved when the conflict/confrontation has reached a level of mutual disagreement between the GRP and the MILF.
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: INCORE; GRP-MILF Peace Process: Compilation of Signed Agreements & other related Documents (1997-2010); (MILF Peace Panel/Asia Foundation, 2010), pp. 39-40.

In the Name of God The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful

Agreement to Sustain the Quest for Peace

Whereas, the Quick Response Team (QRT) is conceptualized on account of the confrontations/conflicts on the ground between the elements of the GRP and the MILF despite the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH) signed by the GRP and the MILF Panels on July 18, 1997 on Cagayan de Oro City.

Whereas, there is an urgent need to address these conflicts/confrontations immediately as they occur in order to avoid further exacerbation of the conflict that may create displacement and destruction to both human lives and properties.

Whereas, under normal conditions and terms of the AGCH, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) is the body primarily tasked to settle and address these incidents and alleged violations of the Ceasefire Agreement between the GRP and the MILF.

However, the CCCH is formally constituted and does observe due protocols and other formalities required of any official body.

As such, the CCCH is not capable of immediate response to conflicts and confrontations on the ground.

The CCCH meets when conflicts/confrontations have reached a crisis level or after unnecessary casualties and destruction have been inflicted against each other and on the civilian populace.

Whereas, the Independent Fact Finding Committee (IFFC) cannot immediately respond to a crisis situation because its very nature is passive.

It acts only on matters that the CCCH cannot mutually agree on.

The IFFC enters into the scene when there is no agreement in the CCCH on what actually happened on the ground.

In short, the IFFC becomes involved when the conflict/confrontation has reached a level of mutual disagreement between the GRP and the MILF.

Whereas, the IFFC Chairman recommended the creation of the QRT to the GRP and the MILF Panels during the February 6, 1998 plenary meeting of the Technical Committee and the CCCH at MSU, Marawi City.

Now, therefore, the GRP and the MILF have agreed to create as they hereby create a Quick Response Team, which shall be hereinafter referred to as QRT composed of representatives from the GRP, MILF and the IFFC to immediately address alleged violations of the AGCH.

The QRT shall be chaired by the IFFC Chairman, or in his absence, by the IFFC Vice-Chairman.

The Operationalization of the QRT

1. The Official Office and Address of the QRT is at the Notre Dame University Peace Education Center in Cotabato City.

Sub-offices in other areas may be opened as the need arises.

2. The QRT shall be composed of the following:

2.1 GRP Representatives – three (3) permanent members from the Secretariat of the GRP CCCH, three (3) alternate members;

2.2 MILF Representatives - three (3) permanent members from the Secretariat of the MILD CCCH, three (3) alternate members;

2.3 IFFC Principals – one representative each from the Notre Dame University (NDU), Maguindanaon Professionals and Employees Association Inc. (MAPEA) and Cotabato City Media Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCMMPC).

Additional membership to the IFFC may be made upon joint approval by the GRP and MILF Panels through their respective CCCH.

The names of the alternate members to the QRT will be submitted as soon as possible.

The QRT can avail itself of assistance from the following in the performance of its duties:

a) The AFP Commander in the area concerned;

b) The PNP Provincial Director of the Province concerned;

c) The MILF Commander or any other officers operating in the area;

and

d) The POCs in the Region, Province and Municipality concerned.

3. The QRT shall immediately address a reported conflict/confrontation between the GRP and MILF forces.

The reports may come from any of the following sources:

GRP Panel, MILF Panel and the IFFC.

4. Upon receipt of the report, the QRT Chairman shall immediately convene the QRT, make proper representation to the two principals and coordinate with the local commanders through the official representatives of both the GRP and the MILF regarding the quick response.

It may conduct ocular inspections to assess and defuse the tension of the conflict.

5. The GRP and MILF CCCH shall convene immediately to assess and respond to the reports and findings of the QRT.

Done in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao this 11th day of March 1998.

For the GRP:

ASec.

Jovenal F. Lazaga

Chairman, GRP Technical Committee

MGen.

Joselin B. Nazareno

Chairman, GRP SCCH

For the MILF:

Atty.

Lanang S. Ali

Acting Chairman, MILF Technical Committee

Atty.

Omar B. Umpar

Acting Chairman, MILF SCCH