Resolution No. 3 A Resolution to Cease Hostilities at Datu Plang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao (Resolution to Cease Hostilities in 3 Municipalities of Maguindanao)

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Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Resolution No. 3 A Resolution to Cease Hostilities at Datu Plang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao (Resolution to Cease Hostilities in 3 Municipalities of Maguindanao)
Date: 24 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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Philippines - Mindanao process
Parties: MGen. Santos B. Gabison Jr., AFP, GRP Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities Chairman;
Atty. Lanang S. Ali, MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities Chairman
Third parties: Witnesses: Hon. Zacaria A. Candao, Province of Maguindanao Governor; Fr. Eliseo R. Mercado Jr., OMI, Quick Response Team (QRT) Chairman
Description: Agreement on Resolution No. 3 for the immediate cessation of hostilities at Datu Piang, Sharrif Aguak, and Talayan Maguindanao, where both the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF shall reposition their forces to the "Status Ante Bellum". The Resolution also calls for the IFFC to conduct an investigation into the root causes of the conflicted area, and for both Parties to strictly adhere to Articles II and III of the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities.

Agreement document: PH_981024_Resolution No 3.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: 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: Page 2, 6. To direct the chairman of the Independent Fact-Finding (IFFC) to convene the IFFC to conduct fact-finding inquiries on the root causes of the armed conflict between the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF in the areas of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao and submit the report to the CCCH with utmost dispatch.
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 1997 in Cagayan de Oro City;

Page 1, Untitled Preamble
[...] NOW, THEREFORE, the GRP-MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCC) based on the finding and recommendations of the Chairman of the Quick Response Team do hereby resolve the following:

Page 1, 1. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF effect an immediate cessation of hostilities in the said areas following the letter and the spirit of Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities signed last July 18, 1997.

Page 1, 2. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF reposition their armed forces to the "Status Ante Bellum".

Page 1, 3. The MILF-BIAF shall reposition their forces within the defense perimeter of Camp Omar and the GRP-AFP shall, likewise, reposition their forces along the National Highway.

Page 1, 4. That both parties shall strictly adhere to the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities, particularly Article II and III, signed on November 14, 1997 at Marawi City.

Page 2, 5. To immediately stop the armed confrontation to deescalate the conflict in Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao.

Page 2, 6. To direct the chairman of the Independent Fact-Finding (IFFC) to convene the IFFC to conduct fact-finding inquiries on the root causes of the armed conflict between the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF in the areas of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao and submit the report to the CCCH with utmost dispatch.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, Untitled Preamble
[...] NOW, THEREFORE, the GRP-MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCC) based on the finding and recommendations of the Chairman of the Quick Response Team do hereby resolve the following:

Page 1, 1. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF effect an immediate cessation of hostilities in the said areas following the letter and the spirit of Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities signed last July 18, 1997.

Page 1, 2. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF reposition their armed forces to the "Status Ante Bellum".

Page 1, 3. The MILF-BIAF shall reposition their forces within the defense perimeter of Camp Omar and the GRP-AFP shall, likewise, reposition their forces along the National Highway.

Page 1, 4. That both parties shall strictly adhere to the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities, particularly Article II and III, signed on November 14, 1997 at Marawi City.

Page 2, 5. To immediately stop the armed confrontation to deescalate the conflict in Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao.

Page 2, 6. To direct the chairman of the Independent Fact-Finding (IFFC) to convene the IFFC to conduct fact-finding inquiries on the root causes of the armed conflict between the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF in the areas of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao and submit the report to the CCCH with utmost dispatch.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, Untitled Preamble
[...] NOW, THEREFORE, the GRP-MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCC) based on the finding and recommendations of the Chairman of the Quick Response Team do hereby resolve the following:

Page 1, 1. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF effect an immediate cessation of hostilities in the said areas following the letter and the spirit of Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities signed last July 18, 1997.

Page 1, 2. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF reposition their armed forces to the "Status Ante Bellum".

Page 1, 3. The MILF-BIAF shall reposition their forces within the defense perimeter of Camp Omar and the GRP-AFP shall, likewise, reposition their forces along the National Highway.

Page 1, 4. That both parties shall strictly adhere to the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities, particularly Article II and III, signed on November 14, 1997 at Marawi City.

Page 2, 5. To immediately stop the armed confrontation to deescalate the conflict in Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao.

Page 2, 6. To direct the chairman of the Independent Fact-Finding (IFFC) to convene the IFFC to conduct fact-finding inquiries on the root causes of the armed conflict between the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF in the areas of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao and submit the report to the CCCH with utmost dispatch.
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: GRP-MILF Peace Process: Compilation of Signed Agreements & other related Documents (1997-2010); (MILF Peace Panel/Asia Foundation, 2010), pp. 47-48.

In the name of God, the most beneficient, the most merciful

Resolution No.

A Resolution for the Immediate Cessation of Hostilities at Datu Plang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao

Wheras, 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;

Wheras, the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF are engaged in arm conflict in various points between Crossing Salvo (Upper) and Meta (Upper) since October 18, 1998;

Wheras, the Chairman of the Quick Response Team (QRT) Fr.

Eliseo R. Mercado Jr. OMI submitted his report dated 22 October, 1998 regarding the incident with recommendations;

Now, therefore, the GRP-MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (SCCH) based on the finding and recommendations of the Chairman of the Quick Response Team do hereby resolve the following:

1. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF effect an immediate cessation of hostilities in the said areas following the letter and spirit of Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities signed last July 18, 1997.

2. That the GRP-AFP and the MILF-BIAF reposition their armed forces to the "Status Ante Bellum".

3. The MILF-BIAF shall reposition their forces within the defense perimeter of Camp Omar and the GRP-AFP shall, likewise, reposition their forces along the National Highway.

4. That both parties shall strictly adhere to the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities, particuarly Article II and III, signed on November 14, 1997 at Marawi City.

5. To immediately stop the armed confrontation to de-escalate the conflict in Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao.

6. To direct the chairman of the Independent Fact Finding Committee (IFFC) to convene the IFFC to conduct fact finding between the GRP-AFP and MILF-BIAF in the areas of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan, Maguindanao and submit the report to the CCCH with utmost dispatch.

Entered this 24th day of October, 1998 at Cotabato City.