• Country/entity

  Philippines
  Mindanao
  

• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Asia and Pacific
  

• Agreement name

  Joint Statement -7th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks (April 20 2005)

• Date

  20 Apr 2005

• 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

  Silvestre C. Afable, Jr., GRP Panel Chair; Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Panel Chair

• Third parties

  -

• Description

  Agreement by the GRP and MILF Panels informing on the 7th Round of the GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks, in which the Parties discussed the concept, territory, resources and governance aspects of ancestral domain, and agreed on points of concept, resources and territory, but would further the discussion on governance in the next round of talks. Additionally, the Parties agreed to strengthen the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and affirmed that recent hostilities would not affect the peace talks. Concluding, they recognized the critical role and progress of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), and expressed gratitude to the Malaysian Government for the facilitation of the talks.

• Agreement document

  PH_050420_Joint 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 STATEMENT

The 7th Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks concluded on a high note today in Port Dickson, Malaysia with both Parties expressing deep satisfaction over the result of the joint discussions on ancestral domain.

The GRP-MILF Panels led more than 40 technical resource persons from both sides in multi-level meetings to examine the details in the agenda, which included the concept, territory, resources and governance of the ancestral domain issue.

After a three-day session on the Ancestral Domain Aspect on the Tripoli Agreement on Peace of 2001, the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) agreed on several substantial points vis-a-vis the strands on concept, territory and resources, and further agreed to tackle the strand on governance in the next round of talks.

Since the inception of the GRP-MILF peace proecss in January 1997, the Port Dickson talks marked the first time that both sides entered into substantive discussions outside of the cessation of hostilities.

They hailed the outcome of the meeting as a breakthrough towards a just and durable solution to the Mindanao conflict.

The Panels decided to forge on with technical level talks in Malaysia to exhaust all possible consensus points before the start of formal negotiations expected to be held by mid-year.

They also affirmed that recent hostilities in Mindanao would not affect the impetus of the peace talks and that both sides would strive to resolve all outstanding ceasefire issues at a subsidiary level.

The Parties likewise agreed to strengthen the operations of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) in order to bolster the joint campaign against lawlessness and criminality.

Both Parties reiterated the substantive role of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in monitoring the implementation of the security, rehabilitation and development aspects of the GRP-MILF Tripoli Agreement on Peace of 2001.

Both Parties hope for the continued presence of the IMT in Mindanao.

The Panels expressed their gratitude to the Malaysian Government headed by H.E. Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi for its continued facilitating role in the peace process, and the unwavering commitment of H.E. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the achievement of a durable, comprehensive and lasting peace in Mindanao.

They lauded the excellent facilities and assistance extended by the Malaysian Secretariat under the Office of the Prime Minister.

They likewise expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the technical experts of both sides who worked hard to ensure the successful outcome of the talks.

Done on the 20th April 2005 at Port Dickson, Malaysia

FOR THE GRP:

(signed)

SILVESTRE C. AFABLE, JR

GRP Panel Chair

FOR THE MILF:

(signed)

MOHAGHER IQBAL

MILF Panel Chair