Joint Statement - 12th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks

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Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Joint Statement - 12th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks
Date: 4 May 2006
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: Silvestre C. Afable Jr., GRP Panel Chair;
Mohagher M. Iqbal, MILF Panel Chair
Third parties: -
Description: Agreement by the Panels, informing on the 12th Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks, in which the Parties agreed to conduct further ground validation and collection of additional data to reach a full consensus on delineation and demarcation of territory. The Parties agreed to request an extension of the IMT mandate, as well as to expand the composition of the IMT to include other nations in the monitoring of the rehabilitation and development process. The Parties agreed to extend the mandate of the AHJAG for another year, and committed to move forward the establishment of capacity-building programs in Bangsamoro.

Agreement document: PH_060504_Joint 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: Groups→Indigenous people→Substantive
Page 1, The Panels committed to move forward the establishment of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), which is envisioned as an agent of change in the social and political environment of the Bangsamoro people. Both Panels decided to continue availing the training programs organized by the Malaysian Government under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP). In this regard, they will also seek the assistance of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to complement the current Malaysian capacity-building efforts.
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: Page 1, The Peace Panels fo the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wrapped up the 3-day 12th Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur today by declaring substantive gains in the Ancestral Domain agenda while acknowledging that more work had to be done on the strand of territory, particularly in the determination and delimitation of areas to be placed under a prospective Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

The Panels achieved significant progress in defining the concept, sharing the resources and establishing governance in the BJE but were held back from reaching full consensus by the highly technical nature of discussions on the delineation and demarcation of territory. For this purpose, they agreed to conduct further ground validation and collection of additional data to guide them in the resolution of remaining items.
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: Page 1, The Peace Panels fo the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wrapped up the 3-day 12th Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur today by declaring substantive gains in the Ancestral Domain agenda while acknowledging that more work had to be done on the strand of territory, particularly in the determination and delimitation of areas to be placed under a prospective Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

The Panels achieved significant progress in defining the concept, sharing the resources and establishing governance in the BJE but were held back from reaching full consensus by the highly technical nature of discussions on the delineation and demarcation of territory. For this purpose, they agreed to conduct further ground validation and collection of additional data to guide them in the resolution of remaining items.
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, The Panels welcomed the entry of the United Nations World Food Programs and other organizations in Mindanao in support of the peace process prior to the signing of the comprehensive agreement. The Panels agreed that such mission should be done in coordination with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).
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: Power sharing→Territorial power sharing→Autonomous regions
Page 1, The Peace Panels fo the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wrapped up the 3-day 12th Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur today by declaring substantive gains in the Ancestral Domain agenda while acknowledging that more work had to be done on the strand of territory, particularly in the determination and delimitation of areas to be placed under a prospective Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

The Panels achieved significant progress in defining the concept, sharing the resources and establishing governance in the BJE but were held back from reaching full consensus by the highly technical nature of discussions on the delineation and demarcation of territory. For this purpose, they agreed to conduct further ground validation and collection of additional data to guide them in the resolution of remaining items.
Economic power sharing: Power sharing→Economic power sharing→Sharing of resources
Page 1, ... The Panels achieved significant progress in defining the concept, sharing the resources and establishing governance in the BJE but were held back from reaching full consensus by the highly technical nature of discussions on the delineation and demarcation of territory. For this purpose, they agreed to conduct further ground validation and collection of additional data to guide them in the resolution of remaining items.
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→Media roles
Page 1, The Panels reached a consensus to immediately activate a joint advocacy team in order to formulate and undertake a program of public information aimed at raising broad awareness of, and support for, the peace process.
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: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1, The Panels expressed deep satisfaction over the contribution of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in the working with the ceasefire committees of both sides to sustain the highly successful ceasefire, and agreed to request Malaysia, Brunei and Libya to extend the mandate of their respective contingents to the IMT. Both sides likewise agreed to expand the composition of the IMT to include the participation of other nations in monitoring the rehabilitation and development work related to the peace process.

The Panels committed to move forward the establishment of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), which is envisioned as an agent of change in the social and political environment of the Bangsamoro people. Both Panels decided to continue availing the training programs organized by the Malaysian Government under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP). In this regard, they will also seek the assistance of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to complement the current Malaysian capacity-building efforts.

The Panels welcomed the entry of the United Nations World Food Programs and other organizations in Mindanao in support of the peace process prior to the signing of the comprehensive agreement. The Panels agreed that such mission should be done in coordination with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Page 1, The Peace Panels of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wrapped up the 3-day 12th Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur today by declaring substantive gains in the Ancestral Domain agenda while acknowledging that more work had to be done on the strand of territory, particularly in the determination and delimitation of areas to be placed under a prospective Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

The Panels achieved significant progress in defining the concept, sharing the resources and establishing governance in the BJE but were held back from reaching full consensus by the highly technical nature of discussions on the delineation and demarcation of territory. For this purpose, they agreed to conduct further ground validation and collection of additional data to guide them in the resolution of remaining items. ...
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, The Panels expressed deep satisfaction over the contribution of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in the working with the ceasefire committees of both sides to sustain the highly successful ceasefire, and agreed to request Malaysia, Brunei and Libya to extend the mandate of their respective contingents to the IMT. Both sides likewise agreed to expand the composition of the IMT to include the participation of other nations in monitoring the rehabilitation and development work related to the peace process.
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), p. 174.

JOINT STATEMENT

The Peace Panels of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wrapped up the 3-day 2" Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur today by declaring substantive gains in the Ancestral Domain agenda while acknowledging la "or work had to be done on the strand of territory, particularly in the determination and delimitation of areas to be placed under a prospective Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

The Panels achieved significant progress in defining the concept, sharing the resources and establishing governance in the BJE but were held back from reaching full consensus by the highly technical nature of discussions on the delineation and demarcation of territory.

For this purpose, they agreed to conduct further ground validation and collection of additional data to guide them in the resolution of remaining items,

The talks were held under an atmosphere of frankness, cordiality, goodwill marking the commitment of both sides to uphold and advance the gains already achieved in the ancestral domain agenda.

The Panel expressed deep satisfaction over the contribution of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in working with the ceasefire committees of both sides to sustain the highly successful ceasefire, and agreed to request Malaysia, Brunei and Libya to extend the mandate of their respective contingents to the IMT.

Both sides likewise agreed to expand the composition of the IMT to include the participation of other nations in monitoring the rehabilitation and development work related to the peace process,

The Panels decided to extend the mandate of the AHJAG interim Guidelines for a Period of one (1) year once its mandate ends on June 21, 2006.

The Panels committed to move forward the establishment of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Institute (BLM), which is envisioned as an agent of change in the social and political environment of the Bangsamoro people.

Both Panels decided to continue availing of the training programs organized by the Malaysian Government under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP).

In this regard, thy will also seek the assistance of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to compliment the current Malaysian capacity-building efforts.

The Panels reached a consensus to immediately activate a joint advocacy team in order to formulate and undertake a program of public information aimed at raising broad awareness of, and support for, the peace process.

The Panels welcomed the entry of the United Nations world Food Program and other organizations in Mindanao in support of the peace process prior to the signing of the comprehensive agreement.

The Panels agreed that such mission should be done in coordination with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).

The Panels expressed their gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi and to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for their unstinting support for the Mindanao peace process.

Signed on May 04, 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

FOR THE GRP.

SILVESTRE C. AFABLE.

JR. (

GRP Panel Chair)

FOR THE MLF:

MOHAGHER M. IQBAL (MILF Panel Chair)