Joint Statement - Special Meeting (August 27 2007)

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Country/entity: Philippines
Mindanao
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Joint Statement - Special Meeting (August 27 2007)
Date: 27 Aug 2007
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: Sec. Rodolfo C. Garcia, GRP Panel Chair;
Mohagher M. Iqbal, MILF Panel Chair
Third parties: -
Description: Agreement by the Panels, informing on the meeting in which the Parties reached a consensus to request an extension of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) for another 12 months. The Parties also agreed to expand the role of the IMT to include monitoring the socio-economic assistance, humanitarian, rehabilitation and development aspect, and extending the area of coverage for the ceasefire monitoring. Both Parties agreed to further consider requesting other countries and international institutions to partake in monitoring or assisting in other support programs of the peace process.

Agreement document: PH_070827_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: 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,
[...]
Both Parties agreed to seriously consider in the forthcoming round of talks the request of countries and international institutions that are interested in participating in the IMT, and other support programs of the peace process.
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: Rights institutions→Regional or international human rights institutions→Monitoring calls
Page 1,
[...]
Both Parties agreed to seriously consider in the forthcoming round of talks the request of countries and international institutions that are interested in participating in the IMT, and other support programs of the peace process.

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,
[...]
As part of measures to reinforce the mandate of the monitoring body, both sides adopted the expanded Terms of Reference (TOR) of the IMT containing, among others, the following substantial amendments;
1. The functions of the IMT is expanded to align its role along the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Aspect, and Socio-Economic Assistance; [...]
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,
[...]
As part of measures to reinforce the mandate of the monitoring body, both sides adopted the expanded Terms of Reference (TOR) of the IMT containing, among others, the following substantial amendments;
2. In addition to the previous areas covered under the ceasefire agreements, the IT are over coverage shall include Basilan, Sulu Tawi-Tawi and Palawan;
3. The IMT may undertake advocacy and information activities in support of the ceasefire and other programs, in close coordination with the Peace Panels and the ceasefire committees.
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: Page 1,
[...]
The Parties reached a consensus to request Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan to extend the tour of duty of their respective contingents to the IMT for another 12 months ending August 2008. Both sides affirm the substantial contribution of the IMT for almost three years in helping stabilize the ground environment in Mindanao, and in boosting international confidence to the peace process.

Page 1,
[...]
As part of measures to reinforce the mandate of the monitoring body, both sides adopted the expanded Terms of Reference (TOR) of the IMT containing, among others, the following substantial amendments;
1. The functions of the IMT is expanded to align its role along the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Aspect, and Socio-Economic Assistance;
2. In addition to the previous areas covered under the ceasefire agreements, the IT are over coverage shall include Basilan, Sulu Tawi-Tawi and Palawan;
3. the IMT may undertake advocacy and information activities in support of the ceasefire and other programs, in close coordination with the Peace Panels and the ceasefire committees.
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. 186.

JOINT STATEMENT

A special meeting between representatives of the GRP and MILF Peace Panels concluded today with both sides expressing a common resolve to move forward, and firming up measures to strengthen the role of the International Momtoring Team (IMT).

The Parties reached a consensus to request Malaysia Brunei, libya and Japan to extend the tour of duty of their respective contingents to the IMT for another 12 months ending August 2008.

Both Sides affirm the substantial contribution of the IMT for almost three years in helping stabilize the ground environment In Mindanao, and in boosting international confidence to the peace process.

As part of measures to reinforce the mandate of the monitoring body, both sides adopted the expanded Terms of Reference (TOR) of the IMT containing, among others, the following substantial amendments:-

1. The functions of the IMT Is expanded to ahgn its role along the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Aspect, and Socio-Economic Assistance;

2. In addition to the previous areas covered under the ceasefire agreements, the IMT area of coverage shall include Basilan, Sulu.

Tawi-Tawi and Palawan;

3. The IMT may undertake advocacy and information activities in support of the ceasefire and other programs.

In close coordination with the Peace Panels and the ceasefire committees.

Both Parties agreed to sericusly consider in the forthcoming rounci of talks the request of countries and International institutions that are Interested in participating in the IMT, and other support programs of the peace process.

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

Signed on August 27, 2007 in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.