Agreement for Field Commanders of both Parties to Immediately and Strictly Observe the Ceasefire Agreement

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Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Agreement for Field Commanders of both Parties to Immediately and Strictly Observe the Ceasefire Agreement
Date: 6 Oct 1999
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: USec. Orlando V. Soriano, GRP Negotiating Panel Chairman;
Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Political Affairs Vice Chairman;
Third parties: Witness:
BGen. Jose P. Torrelavega, GRP CCCH Chairman;
Atty. Zosimo Jesus M. Paredes II, GRP Negotiating Panel Legal Consultant;
Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Negotiating Panel Member;
Shiekh Abuhalil Yahya, MILF Majlis As-Shura Chairman
Description: Agreement that, in identifying the need of the GRP-MILF Peace Panel to give more substance and authority to the cessation of hostilities, provides the GRP-MILF Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) the authorization to relay orders to military Field Commanders of both parties, and for the Field Commanders to strictly observe the orders relayed to them by the CCCH from the Peace Panels. The Agreement also provides that the CCCH will inform the Peace Panels of any violations by the forces, to which the Peace Panels will take immediate and necessary action to stop any violation, as well as punish accordingly the forces or Field Commanders who violate this Agreement.

Agreement document: PH_991006_Agreement for Field Commanders.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: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH);

Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, there is a need for the GRP-MILF Peace Panel to give more authority and substance to the general cessation of hostilities by authorizing the GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to relay orders to the military Field Commanders of both parties once the GRP-MILF Peace Panels have agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, the military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

Page 1, NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree, as they hereby agree on the following:
1. The GRP-MILF CCCH is hereby authorized, as an extension of the authority of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels, to relay orders to military Field Commanders of both parties once they have agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

Page 1, 2. The military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

Page 1, 3. The GRP-MILF CCCH shall inform the GRP-MILF Peace Panels of any GRP-MILF forces or field commanders violating this agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels to take immediate and necessary action to stop any violation and punish respective forces or military Field Commanders who violate this agreement.

Page 1, [...] This agreement is an addendum to the powers and functions of the GRP-MILF CCCH stipulated in the Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF AGCH.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH);

Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, there is a need for the GRP-MILF Peace Panel to give more authority and substance to the general cessation of hostilities by authorizing the GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to relay orders to the military Field Commanders of both parties once the GRP-MILF Peace Panels have agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, the military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

Page 1, NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree, as they hereby agree on the following:
1. The GRP-MILF CCCH is hereby authorized, as an extension of the authority of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels, to relay orders to military Field Commanders of both parties once they have agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

Page 1, 2. The military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

Page 1, 3. The GRP-MILF CCCH shall inform the GRP-MILF Peace Panels of any GRP-MILF forces or field commanders violating this agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels to take immediate and necessary action to stop any violation and punish respective forces or military Field Commanders who violate this agreement.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH);

Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, there is a need for the GRP-MILF Peace Panel to give more authority and substance to the general cessation of hostilities by authorizing the GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to relay orders to the military Field Commanders of both parties once the GRP-MILF Peace Panels have agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

Page 1, Preamble
WHEREAS, the military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

Page 1, NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree, as they hereby agree on the following:
1. The GRP-MILF CCCH is hereby authorized, as an extension of the authority of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels, to relay orders to military Field Commanders of both parties once they have agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

Page 1, 2. The military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

Page 1, 3. The GRP-MILF CCCH shall inform the GRP-MILF Peace Panels of any GRP-MILF forces or field commanders violating this agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels to take immediate and necessary action to stop any violation and punish respective forces or military Field Commanders who violate this agreement.
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: Page 1, 3. The GRP-MILF CCCH shall inform the GRP-MILF Peace Panels of any GRP-MILF forces or field commanders violating this agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels to take immediate and necessary action to stop any violation and punish respective forces or military Field Commanders who violate this agreement.
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. 68-69.

In the name of God, the beneficent, the merciful

AGREEMENT

Whereas, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH);

Whereas, there is a need for the GRP-MILF Peace Panel to give more authority and substance to the general cessation of hostilities by authorizing the GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to relay orders to the military Field Commanders of both parties once the GRP-MILF Peace Panels have agreed to a cessation of hostilities;

Whereas, the military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

Now therefore, the parties agree, as they hereby agree on the following:

1. The GRP-MILF CCCH is hereby authorized, as an extension of the authority of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels, to relay orders to military Field Commanders of both parties once they have agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

2. The military Field Commanders of both parties shall immediately and strictly observe the orders of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels relayed to them by the GRP-MILF CCCH.

3. The GRP-MILF CCCH shall inform the GRP-MILF Peace Panels of any GRP-MILF forces or field commanders violating this agreement.

It shall be the responsibility of the GRP-MILF Peace Panels to take immediate and necessary action to stop any violation and punish respective forces or military Field Commanders who violate this agreement.

This agreement is an addendum on the powers and functions of the GRP-MILF CCCH stipulating in the Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines of the GRP-MILF AGCH.

Signed in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao this 6th day of October 1999.