The University of EdinburghPeace Agreements DatabasePeaceRep

General Framework of Agreement of Intent Between the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)

  • Country/entity

    Philippines
    Mindanao
  • Region

    Asia and Pacific
    Asia and Pacific
  • Agreement name

    General Framework of Agreement of Intent Between the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
  • Date

    27 Aug 1998
  • Agreement status

    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement

    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level

    Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Philippine Insurgencies (1968 - ) )
  • Stage

    Pre-negotiation/process
  • Conflict nature

    Government/territory
  • Peace process

    Philippines - Mindanao process
  • Parties

    Lt. Gen. Orlando V. Soriano (Ret.), GRP Negotiating Panel Chairman;
    Allem Abdulaziz Mimbantas, MILF Negotiating Panel Chairman
  • Third parties

    Witnesses: Amb. Manuel T. Yan, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; Rep. Anthony T. Dequina, GRP Negotiating Panel Member; Dr. Emily M. Marohombsar, GRP Negotiating Panel Member; Dir. Alma R. Evangelista, GRP Technical Comittee Chairperson; Mgen. Santos B. Gabison Jr., GRP Negotiating Panel Member; Dr. Alunan C. Glang, MILF Adviser; Sheikh Abukhalil Yahya, Majlis Al-Shura Chairman; Sheikh Ali Ismail, MILF Islamic Supreme Court Chairman; Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Negotiating Panel Member; Omar Hassan, MILF Negotiating Panel Member
  • Description

    The Parties commit to pursue negotiations, and pledge to implement the agreements made so far.


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)
    Page 2, Article V
    The Parties recognize that there will be lasting peace in Mindanao when there is mutual trust, justice, freedom, and tolerance for the identity, culture, way of life and aspirations of all the peoples of Mindanao.
  • 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
    Page 1, Article II
    The Parties affirm their commitment to protect and respect human rights in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    Page 2, Article V
    The Parties recognize that there will be lasting peace in Mindanao when there is mutual trust, justice, freedom, and tolerance for the identity, culture, way of life and aspirations of all the peoples of Mindanao.
  • Bill of rights/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Treaty incorporation
    Page 1, Article II
    The Parties affirm their commitment to protect and respect human rights in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • 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

    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, Preamble
    [...] Noting the Agreement on general Cessation of Hostilities of July 18, 1997, signed at Cagayan de Oro City, between the Parties;

    Page 1, Article III
    The Parties negotiate with sincerity in the resolution and pacific settlement of the conflict, and hereby pledge to implement the joint agreements/arrangements previously signed by the Parties' representatives, such as the Agreement for General Cessation of
    Hostilities signed on July 18, 1997 at Cagayan de Oro City and other supplementary agreements.

    Page 2, Article IV
    The Parties pledge to refrain from the use or threat of force to attain undue advantage while peace negotiations on the substantive issues are on-going.
  • 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
    Art. 3 'The Parties negotiate with sincerity in the resolution and pacific settlement of the conflict, and hereby pledge to implement the joint agreements/arrangements previously signed by the Parties' representatives, such as the Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities signed on July 18, 1997 at Cagayan de Oro City and other supplementary agreements.'
  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    USIP, CR Accord, GRP-MILF Peace Process: Compilation of Signed Agreements & other related Documents (1997-2010); (MILF Peace Panel/Asia Foundation, 2010), pp. 41-43.

In the Name of God Most Beneficent, Most Merciful General Framework of Agreement of Intent Between the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), herein referred to as the Parties:

Recognizing the need for a negotiated political settlement to bring an end to the armed conflict in Mindanao.

Desiring to contribute toward that end and to promote an enduring peace and stability in Mindanao.

Noting the Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities of July 18, 1997, signed at Cagayan de Oro City, between the Parties;

Have agreed as follows:

Article I

The parties commit to pursue the peace negotiations on the substantive issues as soon as possible, and resolutely continue the negotiations until the Parties reach a negotiated political settlement.

Article II

The Parties affirm their commitment to protect and respect human rights in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Article III

The Parties negotiate with sincerity in the resolution and pacific settlement of the conflict, and hereby pledge to implement the joint agreements/arrangements previously signed by the Parties' representatives, such as the Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities signed on July 18, 1997 at Cagayan de Oro City and other supplementary agreements.

Article IV

The Parties pledge to refrain from the use or threat of force to attain undue advantage while peace negotiations on the substantive issues are on-going.

Article V

The Parties recognize that there will be lasting peace in Mindanao when there is mutual trust, justice, freedom, and tolerance for the identity, culture, way of life and aspirations of all the peoples of Mindanao.

Article VI

This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature.

Done at the Dawah Center, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, this 27th day August, 1998.