GRP – MILF NEGOTIATIONS

8/14/2019 GRP MILF NEGOTIATIONS

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GRP MILF NEGOTIATIONSLessons Learned, Challenges, and

Ways Forward

Abhoud Syed M. LinggaInstitute of Bangsamoro Studies

The Waging Peace in the Philippines Conference of 2006

Twenty Years of Waging Peace in the Philippines -

Learning Lessons for Policy and Practice

December 5-6, 2006


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GRP-MILF Formal Talks

Negotiations to solve the Mindanao problem wereconfined with the MNLF before the 1996 Peace Accord.

Contacts between the GRP and the MILF were at theinformal level.

August 3, 1996, Sec. Ruben Torres met MILF vice chairfor political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar in Davao City.

Another meeting was held in Cagayan de Oro City onSept. 9-10, 1996 where issues on cessation of hostilitiesand creation of technical committees to draw talking

points and guidelines of ceasefire were discussed.

Jan. 7, 1997, first meeting of the technical committees ofGRP and MILF Peace panels. The start of the formalnegotiations.


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GRP and MILF recognize

The need for comprehensive, just and lasting politicalsettlement of the conflict in Mindanao throughnegotiations.

That the peace negotiations between the GRP andMILF is for the advancement of the the general interest

of the Bangsamoro people and other indigenous people.

The negotiation and peaceful resolution of the conflictmust involve consultations with the Bangsamoro peoplefree of any imposition.

The Bangsamoro peoples fundamental right todetermine their own future and political status.

respect for the identity, culture and aspirations of allpeoples of Mindanao.


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Agenda

1. Security

2. Humanitarian, rehabilitation anddevelopment of conflict-affected

areas

3. Ancestral domain


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Agreements

1. Security Aspects

Implementation of ceasefire agreements Acknowledgment of MILF Camps Isolation and interdiction of criminal elements Setting up of mechanism

GRP and MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation ofHostilities (CCCH)

Local Monitoring Team (LMT) International Monitoring Team

Malaysia Brunei Libya Japan (Socio-economic)

Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG)


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Agreements

2. Humanitarian, rehabilitation and development ofconflict-affected areas

Return and rehabilitation of evacuees

Establish of MILF project implementing body Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA)

Reparation

Respect for human rights and observance of

international humanitarian laws Bangsamoro Leadership and Management

Institute - capacity building center for Moroleaders and professionals


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Agreements

3. Ancestral Domain

Discussions divided into four strands Concept

Territory Resources

Governance

Consensus were reached on many issues in the

four strands There was an empasse during the 13th

exploratory talks on the issue of territory


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Lessons Learned

Incremental approach to the negotiations is very

helpful

Involvement of third party is valuable to bring

together conflicting parties to talk peace and to

break deadlock. The third party must have the

creativity and credibility.

The presence of the IMT has reduced

significantly armed confrontations between the

BIAF and the AFP.


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Challenges

Spoliers

Lack of coherent voices from national and

local governments

Issue of terrorism


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Way Forward

There is need for both parties to observe unwrittenagreements. The empasse was triggered by GRPproposal that the issue at hand should be subject toconstitutional process - a violation of the unwrittenagreement that the GRP shall not raise in thenegotiations constitutional issues, Philippine sovereigntyand territorial integrity; on the other hand the MILF shallnot raise the issue of independence.

There is need for creative and innovative approach toaddress sovereignty-based conflicts.

Recognition of the Bangsamoro right of self-determination Referendum to determine their political status

The Government has to exercise strong political will toreign in oppositors from all branches of governments(including the local governmetn units).


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Way Forward

The peace process does not end in the

signing of peace agreement. Equally

important is the faithful implementation of

the provisions of the agreement. Theparties should agree on

road map of implementation

benchmarks to guide parties

presence of international third party monitors

Documents

GRP – MILF NEGOTIATIONS