Aide Memoire: Highlights of the Special Meeting of the GRP and MILF Peace Panels

• Country/entity

  Philippines
  Mindanao
  
• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Asia and Pacific
  
• Agreement name

  Aide Memoire: Highlights of the Special Meeting of the GRP and MILF Peace Panels
• Date

  27 Apr 2000
• 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

  Alma R. Evangelista, GRP Technical Committee Chairperson;
  Sheikh Moner M. Bajunaid, MILF Technical Committee Chairman
• Third parties

  Noted by: Lt. Gen Edgardo E. Batenga, AFP (Ret.), GRP Peace Panel Chairman; Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Peace Panel Acting Chairman
• Description

  Agreement informing on the Special Meeting between GRP and MILF Peace Panels to review and assess the status of their ongoing peace negotiations. During, it was agreed that the GRP shall prepare a paper on the proposed political package, to which the MILF would then review and prepare a position paper on. It was also agreed that efforts towards normalization in Mindanao would include the CCCH to review and submit recommendations to the Technical Committees on matters relating to proposals that the GRP and MILF units remain in current positions, the PNP take over security measures along the Narciso Ramos Highway, and that the CCCH delineate the perimeters of the MILF Camp Abubakar. The Parties also scheduled future meetings of the Peace Panels, Technical Committees, and Technical Working Groups (TWGs), concluding with an understanding that future press statements/releases, in the interest of the peace process and the cessation of hostilities, be positive in nature.

• Agreement document

  PH_000427_Aide Memoire.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

Aide Memoire

Highlights of the special meeting of the GRP and MILF peace panels Estosan Garden Hotel, Cotabato City, 27 April 2000

The GRP and MILF Peace Panel held a Special meeting today at the Estosan hotel;

Cotabato city to review and assess the status of their ongoing peace negotiations.

Following in a summary of the agreement reached between Lt.

Gen. Edgardo E. Batenga AFP (ret), Chairman GRP Peace Panel, and vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, Acting Chairman, MILF Peace Panel:

On the proposed political package for discussion in the negotiations

It was agreed that the GRP shall prepare a paper on the proposed political package, which shall be presented to the MILF as soon as possible, possibly within 72 hours from date of this meeting.

Upon receipt of the GRP proposal, the MILF shall have enough time for consultation and to prepare their comments/positions to the GRPs proposed political package within reasonable time.

On efforts towards normalization of the situation in Mindanao, with specific reference to central Mindanao

Both panel chairmen agreed on the need to work towards normalisation of the situation in Mindanao, specifically central Mindanao, for the sake of the people and the peace process.

It was also agreed that there is a need to pursue the ongoing peace process between the GRP and MILF in order to achieve stability and development in Mindanao

Towards normalising the situation along the Narciso Ramos Highway, both Chairmen agreed to task the CCCH to study the following proposal and submit its recommendations to the GRP-MILF technical committees for review prior to discussion/approval/disapproval at the Panel level.

For the PNP to take over ensuring security and law and order at the highway

For GRP and MILF units to remain in their current positions

For the joint CCCH to submit its paper on the matter on or before the 15 May 2000.

Towards defusing current tensions in the vicinity of Camp Abubakar, the CCCH shall also be tasked to delineate the limits/perimeter of the same, in line with the letter and spirit of the agreement on the general cessation of Hostilities.

A report on this matter shall likewise be submitted to the Technical Committees on or before 15 May 200.

Towards likewise normalising the situation and defusing tensions in Lanao Del Norte, the CCCH is also tasked to prepare its recommendations on the matter, for submission to the Technical Committee also on or before 15 May.

It is understood that police and military actions and administrative activities shall continue to be undertaken by the GRP throughout Mindanao, with continuing coordination between the GRP and MILF forces to avoid confrontational situations on the ground.

3) On schedules for meetings of the GRP and MILF Peace Panels, Technical Committees and Technical working Groups (TWGs)

a. The fourth Round of formal talks between the GRP and MILF previously scheduled for 2 May 2000 shall be re-scheduled to 16-17 May 2000 in Cotabato City.

Preparatory to the Fourth Round of formal talks, the GRP and MILF technical Committees will meet on 13 May 2000 also in Cotabato City.

The GRP and MILF TWGS shall meet on 4 May 2000 in Cotabato City to clarify pointers on the substantive agenda items, and will continue to hold meetings as necessary between 5-15 May 2000.

On issues of press release

It was agreed that in the interest of moving the peace process forward and to avoid the possible agitation of ground forces, both GRP and MILF should make efforts to be positive in issuing public statements and press release.

For the GRP:

ALMA R. EVANGELISTA (Chairperson, GRP Technical Committee)

Noted:

For the GRP

LT.GEN.EDGARDO E. BATENGA AFP (Ret.) (

Chairman, GRP Peace Panel)

For the MILF

SHEIKH MONER M. BAJUNAID (Chairman, MILF Technical Committee)

Noted:

For the MILF

VICE CHAIRMAN CHAZALI JAAFAR (Acting Chairman, MILF Peace Panel)