• Country/entity

  Philippines
  Mindanao
  

• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Asia and Pacific
  

• Agreement name

  Joint Press Statement

• Date

  2 Sep 1997

• 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

  Maj. Gen. Joselin B. Nazareno, AFP, GRP Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities Chairman;
  Atty. Omar B. Umpar, MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities Acting Chairman and MILF Legal Counsel

• Third parties

  -

• Description

  Joint Press Statement to inform on the meeting held by the GRP and MILF Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities on September 2, 1997, in which the Sub-Committee recognized the need to encourage and hasten the return of evacuees, thus provided for repositioning of GRP forces and reassuring that MILF elements in the areas may return, so long as they do not establish military outposts nor display firearms.

• Agreement document

  PH_970902_Joint Press Statement.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

Joint Press Statement

The GRP and MILF sub-committee on cessation of Hostilities convened at the Notre Dame University in Cotabato city on September 2, 1997 to resume the peace negotiation pursuant to the agreement on the general cessation of hostilities signed by the GRP and MILF peace panels on July 18, 1997 in Cagayan De Oro City.

Recognising the need to further give meaning and substance to the general cessation of hostilities by hastening the return of the evacuees in Pikit, North Cotabato and Pagalungan, Maguindanao, The GRP-MILF sub-committees on cessation of Hostilities agreed on the following:

The GRP will gradually reposition its forces in Rajamunda and its environs to their original positions before June 16, 1997 and will continue to secure the Cotabato City.

Davao City highway to insure the safety of travellers.

The gradual repositioning of the GRP forces shall be completed within fifteen (15) days after the signing of this agreement:

The GRP and MILF shall encourage the return of evacuees to their respective residence.

MILF elements who are residents of the area shall be allowed to return to their homes immediately, however they will not establish military outposts/positions nor display firearms

Law enforcement in the aforementioned areas shall be primarily undertaken by the GRP authorities provided.

However, that before the conduct thereof, prior coordination/consultation shall be made with the nearest MILF designated liaison in the area.

This agreement shall take effect on the 4th day of September, 1997.

The details of the agreement which shall define the implementing ground rules were further discussed by both panels during the meeting.

The ground rules shall be finalised during the scheduled meeting on a later date.

Done on 02 September 1997 at Notre Dame University, Cotabato City.

For GRP:

MAJ GEN JOSELIN B. NAZARENO, AFP (CHAIRMAN, GRP SUB-COMMITTEE ON CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES)

For the MILF:

ATTY.

OMAR B. UMPAR (MILF LEGAL COUNSEL AND ACTING CHAIRMAN, MILF SUB-COMMITTEE ON CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES)