• Country/entity

  Philippines
  Mindanao
  

• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Asia and Pacific
  

• Agreement name

  Guidelines for Mutual Understanding between the CCCH of the GPH and the MILF for Ceasefire-related Functions during the 13 May 2013 National and Local Elections

• Date

  22 Apr 2013

• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed

• Interim arrangement

  Yes

• Agreement/conflict level

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

• Stage

  Ceasefire/related

• Conflict nature

  Government/territory

• Peace process

  Philippines - Mindanao process

• Parties

  For the GRP CCCH: Bgen Cesar Dionisio T Sedillo Jr, AFP, Chairman; For the MILF CCCH: Said Sheik, Al Haj, Chairman

• Third parties

  Witness and conforme': Mgen Dato' Fadzil Bin Mokhtar, Head Mission for the International Monitoring Team – M8

• Description

  Agreement in its entirety is an extension of the cessation of hostilities during the GPH-MILF Ceasefire and peace process, establishing mutual understanding and guidelines to safeguard the election specifically from 22 April 2013 to 20 May 2013 with coordination of implementation from the IMT-M8.

• Agreement document

  PH_130422_Guidelines for Mutual Understanding.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

In the Name of God, The Beneficient, The Merciful

GUIDELINES FOR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN THE COORDINATING COMMITTEES ON THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT FOR CEASEFIRE-RELATED FUNCTIONS DURING THE MAY 13, 2013 NATIONAL and LOCAL ELECTIONS

I. References

1. COMELEC Resolution No.

9561- A, “The Ban on bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons;

and employment, availment or engagement of the services security personnel or bodyguards during the election period for the May 13 2013 automated synchronized National, Local elections and ARM Regional Elections.”

2. Instructions from the respective principals of the GPH-CCCH and MILF CCCH anchored on the goodwill and confidence building of the GPH-MILF Peace Process with the participation of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), as appropriate.

3. Agenda No.

IV:

Mid-term Elections on May 2013:

COMELEC Resolution re:

gun ban and drafting of GPH CCCH-IMT­ MILF CCCH Guidelines for Mutual Understanding during the 43rd GPH CCCH-MILF CCCH MEETING at the East Asia Royale Hotel, General Santos City last 19 February 2013.

4. GPH’s Suspension of Offensive Military Operation (SOMO) of July 23, 2009.

5. MILF’s Suspension of Military Action (SOMA) of July 25, 2009.

6. GPH-MILF Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities of July 18, 1997.

7. GPH - MILF Agreement on Peace of June 22, 2001 and its Implementing Guidelines for the Security Aspect.

8. Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) dated 15 October 2012.

II. Purpose

To safeguard the GPH - MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities, the Security Aspect of the GPH-MILF Agreement on Peace of June 22, 2001;

GPH Declaration of Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) of 23 July, 2009 and MILF’s Memorandum of Suspension of Military Action (SOMA) of 25 July 2009;

the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the GPH – MILF Peace Process, in general from adverse effects and repercussions while the government ensures the conduct of honest, orderly and peaceful elections on May 13, 2013.

III. Implementation Timeframe

This endeavor shall be implemented during the critical period of the election from 22 April 2013 to 20 May 2013, as agreed upon by the GPH CCCH and MILF CCCH with the concurrence of the IMT M8.

IV. Mutual Understanding Guidelines

2. This undertaking is purely a GPH - MILF ceasefire and peace process-related function and only incidental but not as a Philippine elections-related function.

This is not to be interpreted as MILF's inconsistency to its standing policy not to take part or meddle in whatever capacity on the government electoral processes.

3. During the stipulated timeframe of the National Elections, the IMT M8 involvement shall only be to monitor the implementation of the Agreement on Peace between the GPH and the MILF of 22 June 2001 and its Implementing Guidelines on the Security Aspect of 7 August 2001;

Implementing Guidelines on the Humanitarian , Rehabilitation and Development Aspects of 7 May 2002 (Tripoli Agreement);

Agreement on the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) of the IMT of 27 October 2009;

the adherence of the GPH and the MILF to the SOMO and SOMA of 23 July 2009 and 25 July 2009, respectively;

and the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

This undertaking is to safeguard the GPH-MILF ceasefire and support the ongoing peace process inherent to the IMT mandate.

4. Hitherto, the GPH CCCH and MILF CCCH shall ensure and warrant, and the IMT shall coordinate and monitor the unhindered movements and deployment of election personnel, equipment , paraphernalia, documents, voters, AFP I PNP election security personnel, as deputized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), to and from all the Polling Centers situated within the MILF dominated areas.

5. The deployment of the deputized AFP and PNP election security personnel shall start upon withdrawal of the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) automated machines from the main hubs designated by the COMELEC to the municipalities then to the polling centers, Testing of PCOS automated machines, Election day on 13 May 2013 and until the recovery/pull-out of PCOS automated machines and other election paraphernalia after the holding of elections on 13 May 2013.

Upon completion of all election functions within the MILF dominated areas, the deputized AFP/PNP election security personnel deployed thereat shall pull out immediately.

6. The Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Post (JCMPs) [...] composed of personnel from the GPH CCCH, MILF CCCH and the Bantay Ceasefire of the Mindanao People's Caucus (MPC) with the IMT's assistance and the Local Monitoring Teams [...] shall be designated as the monitoring and quick response team (QRT) of the JCCCH and IMT for this endeavor.

Additional JCMPs could be set up in other areas when necessary.

7. The strength of the deputized PNP I AFP election security personnel to be deployed in the MILF dominated areas shall be coordinated so as not to create unnecessary alarm and apprehension to the MILF forces and civilian communities that might jeopardize the ceasefire and the peace process.

8. The main routes, water and land usually used by the MILF troops during movements and activities shall be left opened.

Provided, however that MILF movements are property coordinated earlier with the GPH CCCH and the existing ceasefire mechanisms.

9. The MILF shall refrain from consolidating its forces for any purpose/s including peace gatherings from the time the PCOS Machines are deployed until the Election has been completed except at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao,Camp Bushra in Lanao del Sur, and in the urban centers, when necessary.and in coordination with the GPH CCCH.

10. The MILF armed elements should not go near polling centers and precincts, avoid display of firearms and uniforms along routes leading to the areas where electoral activities are ongoing.

11. The GPH CCCH shall provide the MILF CCCH and IMT the official list of Polling Centers which are of interest for the implementation of these guidelines.

12. In case of any reported untoward incident, the deputized PNP/AFP election security personnel shall take appropriate action in coordination with the GPH CCCH, the MILF CCCH the GPH AHJAG, the MILF AHJAG and the IMT MB or vice versa as the case maybe.

13. The GPH-CCCH and the MILF-CCCH jointly shall find ways to provide assistance to the MILF members and families who are temporarily displaces as the guidelines are being implemented.

Moreover, the MILF through it CCCH shall provide necessary data/information on the affected MILF members and families.

To insure safety, the displaced MILF members and families shall be located to mutually agreed upon areas.

In case election paraphernalia are scheduled to be deployed, for this purpose, movement shall be done before the final testing, and sealing of PCOS machines, at least sever (7) days before the election (Note:

scheduled by COMELEC on 06 May 2013) and the delivery/distribution of election paraphernalia from the COMELEC-designated area to various polling precincts a day prior to the election (Note:

scheduled by COMELEC on 12 May 2013) until the completion of the Election and withdrawal of all paraphernalia, equipment, COMELEC Deputized security forces and Election Officials.

14. It is mutually agreed that security/personnel deployed within areas with presence of MILF be withdrawn immediately after the conduct of elections and withdrawal of PCOS automated machines and Election paraphernalia and personnel.

The Parties involved shall commit to these Guidelines of Mutual Understanding as agreed and signed on the 22nd day of April, 2013 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City, Philippines.

For the GRP CCCH:

Bgen Cesar Dionisio T Sedillo Jr, AFP

Chairman

For the MILF CCCH:

Said Sheik, Al Haj

Chairman

Witness and conforme':

Mgen Dato' Fadzil Bin Mokhtar

Head Mission for the International Monitoring Team – M8