Joint Press Statement

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Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Joint Press Statement
Date: 25 Mar 1997
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: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Philippines - Mindanao process
Parties: Mgen. Joselin B. Nazareno, AFP, GRP Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities Chairman
Prof. Moner N. Bajunaid, MILF Technical Committee Chairman
Third parties: -
Description: This Joint Press Statement provides an overall description of Resolution No. 1 Composition of the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee and Assigned Tasks and Functions, which was agreed upon on 25/03/1997 by the Technical Committee of the GRP and the MILF. The description informs of the composition and the functions of the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee.

Agreement document: PH_970325_Joint Press Release.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: Page 1, [...] It was agreed by both Sub-committees that the composition of the Interim ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall be as follows:
1. Representative of the Notre Dame University (NDU)
2. Representative of Maguindanao Professionals and Employees Associations (MAPEA), Inc.
3. Representative of Protestant Layers League of the Philippines (PLLP)
4. Representative of Cotabato City Media Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCMMPC)

It was agreed further that the NDU representative shall act as Chairman of the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee, with the MAPEA representative as Vice Chairman.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 1, [...] It was agreed by both Sub-committees that the composition of the Interim ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall be as follows:
3. Representative of Protestant Layers League of the Philippines (PLLP)
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: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 1, [...] It was agreed by both Sub-committees that the composition of the Interim ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall be as follows:
4. Representative of 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, A Joint meeting of the Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Morol Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was held at the Da'wah Center, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on March 23-25, 1997.
In this joint meeting, the two Sub-Committees have agreed to convene the Interim ceasefire Monitoring Committee (ICMC) as previously agreed in the second meeting of the Technical Committee of the GRP and the MILF on February 25-27, 1997.

It was agreed by both Sub-committees that the composition of the Interim ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall be as follows:
1. Representative of the Notre Dame University (NDU)
2. Representative of Maguindanao Professionals and Employees Associations (MAPEA), Inc.
3. Representative of Protestant Layers League of the Philippines (PLLP)
4. Representative of Cotabato City Media Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCMMPC)

Page 1, [...] The Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall function under the following terms:
a) Conduct fact-finding inquiries on matters referred to it by the GRP and MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities pertaining to alleged violations/infractions of the provisions of the Interim Ceasefire Agreement entered into by both Sub-Committees on January 27, 1997. Referrals shall be made after the other party is duly informed of the matter submitted for inquiry, and the same is not resolved by the Sub-Committees thereof.

b) Issue appropriate letters of invitation to persons whose declarations/statements may shed light on matters under consideration by the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee.

c) Coordinate with other offices and/or organizations as may be necessary in the exercise of its functions/tasks.

d) Prepare and submit reports duly supported by appropriate evidence on matters which mayt be referred to it by the GRP and the MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities.

e) Conduct its inquiries and submit reports to the GRP and the MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities with utmost dispatch.

f) All reports and proceedings of the Interim ceasefire Monitoring Committee shal be considered classified. [...]

Page 2, The Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall function under the following terms:
g) Additional membership to the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee maybe made upon joint approval by the GRP and the MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities.

h) The Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall adopt such internal procedures as maybe appropriate to enable it to expeditiously perform its tasks and submit the same to the GRP and MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities for its joint notation and approval.

i) The Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee maybe employ the expertise of certain disinterested persons or organizations in the pursuance of its assigned tasks.

j) Perform such other acts as maybe jointly determined to be necessary by the GRP and the MILF Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities for the accomplishment of its tasks/functions.

Page 2, [...] The GRP and the MILF shall, within its capabilities, provide administrative support to the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee in the performance of its functions.
The two Sub-Committees on Cessation of Hostilities shall submit the points of agreement in this joint meeting for final confirmation and approval to the Third Meeting of the Technical Committee of the GRP and the MILF on April 9-10, 1997 at the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City.
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: GRP-MILF Peace Process: Compilation of Signed Agreements & other related Documents (1997-2010); (MILF Peace Panel/Asia Foundation, 2010), pp. 14-15.

Joint Press Statement

A joint meeting of the Sub-committee on Cessation of Hostilities of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was held at the Da’wah Centre, crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on March 23-25, 1997.

In this joint meeting, the two sub-committees have agreed to convene the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (ICMC) as previously agreed in the second meeting of the technical committee of the GRP and the MILF on February 25-27, 1997.

It was agreed by both Sub- committees that the composition of the interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall be as follows:

Representative of Notre Dame University (NDU)

Representative of Maguindanao professionals and employees Association (MAPEA), Inc.

Representative of Protestant Lawyers League of the Philippines (PLLP)

Representative of Cotabato City Media Multi-purpose Cooperative (CCMMPC)

Letters of invitation will be served to the above-mentioned organisations/institutions for their availability and acceptance.

It was agreed further that the NDU representative shall act as chairman of the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee, with the MAPEA representative as Vice Chairman.

The Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall function under the following terms:

Conduct fact finding inquiries on matters referred to it by the GRP and MILF sub-committee on Cessation of Hostilities pertaining to alleged violation/infractions of the provisions of the Interim Ceasefire Agreement entered into by both sub-committees on January 27, 1997.

Referrals shall be made after the other party is duly informed of the matter submitted for inquiry, and the same is not resolved by the Sub-committees thereof.

Issues appropriate letters of invitation to persons whose declarations/statements may aired light on matters under consideration by the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee.

Coordinate with other offices and/or organisations as may be necessary in the exercise of its functions/tasks.

Prepare and submit reports duly supported by appropriate evidence on matters which may be referred to it by the GRP and the MILF sub-committee on Cessation of Hostilities.

Conduct its inquiries and submit reports to the GRP and the MILF sub-committees of Cessation of Hostilities with utmost dispatch.

All reports and proceedings of the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall be considered classified.

No part of it nor information thereof maybe divulged to anyone, except by the authorised official spokesperson of the GRP and the MILF as provided for in the Administrative Procedures in the Conduct of GRP-MILF Technical Committee Meetings adopted on February 26, 1997.

Additional membership to the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee maybe made upon joint approval by the GRP and the MILF sub-committees on cessation of Hostilities.

The Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee shall adopt such internal procedures as maybe appropriate to enable it to expeditiously performs its tasks and submit the same to the GRP and MILF sub-committees on Cessation of Hostilities for its joint notation and approval.

The Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee may employ the expertise of certain disinterested persons or organisations in the pursuance of its assigned tasks.

Perform such other note as maybe jointly determined to be necessary by the GRP and the MILF sub-committee on Cessation of Hostilities for the accomplishment of its tasks/functions.

The GRP and the MILF shall, within its capabilities, provide administrative support to the Interim Ceasefire Monitoring Committee in the performance of its functions.

The two sub-committees on Cessation of Hostilities shall submit the points of agreement in this joint meeting for final confirmation and approval to the Third Meeting of the Technical Committee of the GRP and the MILF on April 9-10, 1997 at the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City.

NGEN.

JOSELIN B. NAZARENO AFP (CHAIRMAN, GRP SUB-COMMITTEE ON CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES)

PROF.

MONER M. BAJUNAID (CHAIRMAN, MILF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE)