Resolution no.2 Creating a Joint Monitoring Contingent to Oversee the Peace Situation in Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maghuindanao

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Resolution no.2 Creating a Joint Monitoring Contingent to Oversee the Peace Situation in Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maghuindanao
Date: 16 Oct 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: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Philippines - Mindanao process
Parties: M. Gen. Santos B. Gabison, Jr. GRP Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCH) Chairman
Col. Manuel B. Ibanez, Jr. GRP SCCH Member
Maj. Alfred L. Limoso GRP Secretariat Member
B. Gen. Ramon M. Ong (Ret.), GRP-SPAG Executive Director
Atty. Lanang S. Ali, MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCH) Chairman
Sultan Saipoden Tomawis, MILF SCCH Member
Aleem Elias Macarandas, MILF SCCH Member
Abdulmanaf Mantawil, Secretariat MILF Technical Committee Chairman
Third parties: -
Description: GRP-MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities agreed on establishment of a Joint Monitoring Contingent to monitor the implementation of the February 6 1998 Agreement to sustain the Quest for Peace with 23 personnel each from the PNP and the MILF. Also resolved that GRP would re-position its forces, that MILF would not occupy the vacated area, and that GRP would implement paragraph 2 of the Agreement to sustain Quest for Peace regarding the suspension of logging operations by the Cotabato Timber Company, Incorporated in the vacated area.

Agreement document: PH_981016_Resolution Creating JMC for Buldon.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: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Proportionality
Page 1, 3. The GRP and MILF shall establish a Joint Monitoring Contingent (JMC) at Sultan Base, Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao composed of twenty-three (23) personnel each from the PNP and the MILF to be selected by the QRT. Furthermore, the QRT shall exercise leadership, supervision and direction over the JMC in monitoring the implementation of the February 6, 1998 Agreement. Likewise, it shall provide a component to the JMC consisting of ten (10) civilian personnel.

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: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 1, 2. The GRP shall implement paragraph 2 of the Agreement to Sustain the Quest for Peace entered into between the GRP and MILF on February 6, 1998 in Marawi City regarding the suspension of logging operations by Cotabato Timber Company, Incorporated (CICI) in the vacated area.
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, Untitled Preamble
Whereas, the Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities was signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on July 18, 1997 in Cagayan de Oro City;

Page 1, Untitled Preamble
Whereas, pursuant to the implementation of the February 6, 1998 Agreement, a joint meeting of the GRP-MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCh) was held on October 15-16, 1998 at the Da'wah Center, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao;

Page 1, Untitled Preamble
Whereas during the said meeting, the Quick Response Team (QRT) submitted its discussions on findings on encounters and skirmishes between the GRP and the MILF in the Buldon area;

Page 1, Untitled Preamble
Whereas, incorporated in the aforementioned QRT Reports are recommendations addressed to the GRP and MILF intended to remove and prevent confrontational situations which may adversely affect the current momentum in the quest for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao;

Page 1, 1. The GRP shall re-position its forces by five (%) kilometers air distance from Banganan River at a reference point to be jointly established by the GRP-MILF SCCH and the QRT. The MILF shall not occupy the said vacated area.

Page 1, 3. The GRP and MILF shall establish a Joint Monitoring Contingent (JMC) at Sultan Base, Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao composed of twenty-three (23) personnel each from the PNP and the MILF to be selected by the QRT. Furthermore, the QRT shall exercise leadership, supervision and direction over the JMC in monitoring the implementation of the February 6, 1998 Agreement. Likewise, it shall provide a component to the JMC consisting of ten (10) civilian personnel.
Police: Page 1, 3. The GRP and MILF shall establish a Joint Monitoring Contingent (JMC) at Sultan Base, Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao composed of twenty-three (23) personnel each from the PNP and the MILF to be selected by the QRT. Furthermore, the QRT shall exercise leadership, supervision and direction over the JMC in monitoring the implementation of the February 6, 1998 Agreement. Likewise, it shall provide a component to the JMC consisting of ten (10) civilian personnel.
Armed forces: Page 1, 1. The GRP shall re-position its forces by five (%) kilometers air distance from Banganan River at a reference point to be jointly established by the GRP-MILF SCCH and the QRT. The MILF shall not occupy the said vacated area.

Page 1, 2. The GRP shall implement paragraph 2 of the Agreement to Sustain the Quest for Peace entered into between the GRP and MILF on February 6, 1998 in Marawi City regarding the suspension of logging operations by Cotabato Timber Company, Incorporated (CICI) in the vacated area.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 1. The GRP shall re-position its forces by five (%) kilometers air distance from Banganan River at a reference point to be jointly established by the GRP-MILF SCCH and the QRT. The MILF shall not occupy the said vacated area.

Page 1, 3. The GRP and MILF shall establish a Joint Monitoring Contingent (JMC) at Sultan Base, Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao composed of twenty-three (23) personnel each from the PNP and the MILF to be selected by the QRT. Furthermore, the QRT shall exercise leadership, supervision and direction over the JMC in monitoring the implementation of the February 6, 1998 Agreement. Likewise, it shall provide a component to the JMC consisting of ten (10) civilian personnel.
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: INCORE, GRP-MILF Peace Process: Compilation of Signed Agreements & other related Documents (1997-2010); (MILF Peace Panel/Asia Foundation, 2010), pp. 45-46.

Resolution Creating a Joint Monitoring Contingent (JMC) to Oversee the Peace Situation in Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao

Whereas, the Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities was signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on July 18, 1997 in Cagayan de Oro City;

Whereas, pursuant to the implementation of the February 6, 1998 Agreement, a joint meeting of the GRP-MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCH) was held on October 15-16, 1998 at the Da’wah Center, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao;

Whereas, during the said meeting, the Quick Response Team (QRT) submitted its Reports dated September 27, 1998 and October 3, 1998, regarding its discussions and findings on encounters and skirmishes between the GRP and the MILF in the Buldon area;

Whereas, incorporated in the aforementioned QRT Reports are recommendations addressed to the GRP and MILF intended to remove and prevent confrontational situations which may adversely affect the current momentum in the quest for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao;

Now, therefore, the GRP-MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCH) do hereby resolve the following:

1. The GRP shall reposition its forces by five (5) kilometers air distance from Banganan River at a reference point to be jointly established by the GRP-MILF SCCH and the QRT.

The MILF shall not occupy the said vacated area.

2. The GRP shall implement paragraph 2 of the Agreement to Sustain the Quest for Peace entered into between the GRP and MILF on February 6, 1998 in Marawi City regarding the suspension of logging operations by Cotabato Timber Company, Incorporated (CTCI) in the vacated area.

3. The GRP and MILF shall establish a Joint Monitoring Contingent (JMC) at Sultan Base, Upper Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao composed of twenty-three (23) personnel each from the PNP and the MILF to be selected by the QRT.

Furthermore, the QRT shall exercise leadership, supervision and direction over the JMC in monitoring the implementation of the February 6, 1998 Agreement.

Likewise, it shall provide a component to the JMC consisting of ten (10) civilian personnel.

Entered this 16th day of October 1998 at Da’wah Center, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

M. Gen. Santos B. Gabison, Jr.

Chairman, GRP Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCH)

Col. Manuel B. Ibanez, Jr.

Member, GRP SCCH

Maj. Alfred L. Limoso

Member, GRP Secretariat

B. Gen. Ramon M. Ong (Ret.)

Executive Director, GRP-SPAG

Atty.

Lanang S. Ali

Chairman, MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCH)

Sultan Saipoden Tomawis

Member, MILF SCCH

Aleem Elias Macarandas

Member, MILF SCCH

Abdulmanaf Mantawil

Chairman, Secretariat MILF Technical Committee