Joint Press Statement

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Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Joint Press Statement
Date: 7 Feb 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: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Philippines - Mindanao process
Parties: Asec. Jovenal F. Lazaga, GRP SCAS Chairman;
MGen. Joselin B. Nazareno, GRP SCCH;
Shiekh Moner Bajunaid, MILF SCAS Chairman;
Atty. Omar B. Umpar, MILF SCCH Chairman
Third parties: -
Description: Joint Press Statement informing on the third GRP-MILF Technical Committee meeting on February 4-6, 1998, in which the Parties agreed that in order to maintain the momentum in the quest for peace, the GRP will reposition forces five (5) kilometers away from the Banganan River in the Buldon, Maguindanao area and the MILF will not occupy the newly deserted area, in addition the GRP will suspend all logging operations in the area. In order to effectively implement the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilites, the Parties agreed to the operationalization of the monitoring office of the GRP-MILF CCCH and its sub-offices, the expansion of the IFFC, and the formation of a Quick Response Team (QRT) to be chaired by the IFFC.

Agreement document: PH_980207_Joint Press Statement.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: Page 1, 2. The GRP shall immediately exert its utmost efforts to resolve the watershed issue involving Upper Minabay-Bagangan-Ambal River in Buldon, Maguindanao. In Consultation with concerned parties and coordinating with appropriate government agencies, the GRP shall cause the proposed immediate suspension of logging operations of the Cotabato Timber Company, Inc. and other logging concessionaires in the area until final resolution of the conflict in the Bagangan-Ambal area.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 1, 2. The GRP shall immediately exert its utmost efforts to resolve the watershed issue involving Upper Minabay-Bagangan-Ambal River in Buldon, Maguindanao. In Consultation with concerned parties and coordinating with appropriate government agencies, the GRP shall cause the proposed immediate suspension of logging operations of the Cotabato Timber Company, Inc. and other logging concessionaires in the area until final resolution of the conflict in the Bagangan-Ambal 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: Page 1, 2. The GRP shall immediately exert its utmost efforts to resolve the watershed issue involving Upper Minabay-Bagangan-Ambal River in Buldon, Maguindanao. In Consultation with concerned parties and coordinating with appropriate government agencies, the GRP shall cause the proposed immediate suspension of logging operations of the Cotabato Timber Company, Inc. and other logging concessionaires in the area until final resolution of the conflict in the Bagangan-Ambal area.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, The third GRP-MILF Technical Committee meeting was held on February 4-6, 1998 at Samporna Hall, Marawi Resort Hotel , Marawi City to resume the peace negotiations pursuant to the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities signed by the GRP and MILF Peace Panesl on July 18, 1997.

Page 1, 1. To keep the momentum in the quest for peace by the GRP and MILF, and to defuse the tension created by unfortunate incidents in the recent past, it is agreed that the GRP shall immediately commence to reposition its forces in Buldon, Magundanao, at least five kilometers away from Banganan River to be completed not later than February 20, 1998; provided that the MILF shall not occupy vacated areas to this end, the GRP and the MILF hereby reaffirm to strictly adhere to the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP and MILF Agreement on Operational Guidelines of the GRP and MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities signed on 14 November 1997.

Page 1, 3. In order to effectively observe and implement the Terms and Conditions of the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities, the GRP and MILF Technical Committees agreed on the following:
3.A. Operationalization of the monitoring office of the GRP-MILF Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities, in Cotabato City and Sub-Offices in Marawi City and other areas to be determined later;

Page 2, 3.C. Formation of a Quick-Response Team (QRT)composed of representatives from the GRP, MILF and the Independent Fact-Finding Committee to immediately address alleged violations of the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities; provided, that the QRT is chaired by the IFFC.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, 1. To keep the momentum in the quest for peace by the GRP and MILF, and to defuse the tension created by unfortunate incidents in the recent past, it is agreed that the GRP shall immediately commence to reposition its forces in Buldon, Magundanao, at least five kilometers away from Banganan River to be completed not later than February 20, 1998; provided that the MILF shall not occupy vacated areas to this end, the GRP and the MILF hereby reaffirm to strictly adhere to the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP and MILF Agreement on Operational Guidelines of the GRP and MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities signed on 14 November 1997.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 1. To keep the momentum in the quest for peace by the GRP and MILF, and to defuse the tension created by unfortunate incidents in the recent past, it is agreed that the GRP shall immediately commence to reposition its forces in Buldon, Magundanao, at least five kilometers away from Banganan River to be completed not later than February 20, 1998; provided that the MILF shall not occupy vacated areas to this end, the GRP and the MILF hereby reaffirm to strictly adhere to the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the GRP and MILF Agreement on Operational Guidelines of the GRP and MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities signed on 14 November 1997.
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. 36-37.

Joint press statement

The third GRP - MILF technical committee meeting was held on february 4-6, 1998 at Samporna hall, Marawi resort hotel, Marawi city to resume the peace negotiation pursuant to the agreement on the general cessation of hostilities signed by the GRP and MILF peace panels on july 18.

1997.

during the en banc session of the GRP - MILF technical committee, both parties agreed on the following:

1. to keep the momentum in the quest for peace by the GRP and MILF, and to defuse the tension created by unfortunate incidents in the recent past, it is agreed that the GRP shall immediately commence to reposition its forces in buldon, maguindanao, at least five kilometers away from banganan river to be completed not later than february 20, 1998;

provided that the MILF shall not occupy vacated areas.

to this end, the GRP and the MILF hereby reaffirm to strictly adhere to the implementing operational guidelines of the GRP and MILF agreement on the general cessation of hostilities signed on 14 november 1997.

2. the GRP shall immediately exert its utmost efforts to resolve the watershed issue involving upper minabay - bagangan - ambal rivers in buldon, maguindanao.

in consultation with concerned parties and coordination with appropriate government agencies, the GRP shall cause the proposed immediate suspension of logging operations of the cotabato timber company, inc.,

and other logoing concessionaires in the area until final resolution of the conflict in the bagangan-ambal area.

3. in order to effectively observe and implement the terms and conditions of the agreement on the general cessation of hostilities, the GRP and MILF technical committees agreed on the following:

a. operationalization of the monitoring office of the GRP-MILF coordinating committees on cessation of hostilities, in cotabato city and sub-offices in marawi city and other areas to be determined later;

b. expansion of the independent fact-finding committee membership, chaired by fr.

eliseo r mercado jr.,

omi;

and,

c. formation of a quick-response team (QRT) composed of representatives from the GRP, MILF.

and the independent fact-finding committee to immediately address alleged violations of the agreement on the general cessation of hostilities;

provided, that the QRT is chaired by the IFFC.

this agreement shall take effect on the 7h day of february, 1998.

both parties agreed to hold the fourth GRP - MILF technical meeting on a date and venue to be announced later to start the preparations for the conduct of the formal peace talks.

done on February 7, 1998 at samporna hall, marawi resort hotel, marawi city.

asec.

Jovenal F.Llazaga chairman GRP SCAS

Shiekh Moner Bajunaid chairman, MILF SCAS

MGEN.

Joselin B Nazareno chairman GRP SCCH

atty.

Omar B. Umpar chairman, MILF SCCH