Joint Statement - 10th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks

• Country/entity

  Philippines
  Mindanao
  
• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Asia and Pacific
  
• Agreement name

  Joint Statement - 10th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks
• Date

  7 Feb 2006
• 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 Panels, informing on the 10th round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks, in which the Parties successfully concluded consensus points on the ancestral domain issue, including determination of the scope of the Bangsamoro homeland, measures to address the Bangsamoro people's grievances, the Bangsamoro people's right to utilize and develop their ancestral domain, and economic cooperation arrangements. The Parties agreed to setup an overall framework for forthcoming formal talks on crucial issues and a timeline for the signing of a comprehensive agreement. Concluding, the Parties agreed on the need for capacity-building programs and the participation of civil society, as well as recognizing the Malaysian Government for the facilitation of the peace process.

• Agreement document

  PH_060207_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 10th round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks ended today in Port Dickson, Malaysia with both Parties successfully wrapping up the consensus points of the ancestral domain issue, and placing the peace process on track for concluding the Ancestral Domain Aspect of the GRP-MILF Tripoli Agreement on Peace of June 22, 2001.

The Ancestral Domain Agreement may be signed by late March 2006, simultaneously with the inception of the formal talks.

Among the consensus points reached were:

Joint determination of the scope of the Bangsamoro homeland based on the technical maps and data submitted by both sides;

Measures to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people arising from their unjust dispossession and/ or marginalization;

Bangsamoro people’s right to utilize and develop their ancestral domain and ancestral lands;

Economic cooperation arrangements for the benefit of the entire Bangsamoro people.

During the two-day meeting, the Panels agreed to forge as soon as possible an overall framework for the forthcoming formal talks, together with an inventory of crucial issues to be tackled, the general procedures and parameters and the indicative timeline for the signing of a comprehensive agreement between the Government and the MILF before the end of the year.

The panels agreed to conduct joint advocacy drives on the ancestral domain issue to broaden public understanding and support for the GRP-MILF peace process,.

To achieve this objective, a joint committee was formed to draw up the guidelines, plan the advocacy campaign, and seek the participation of non-government organizations, people’s organizations and civil society groups in advocacy activities.

Both parties reaffirmed the need to intensify capacity-building programs with the assistance and support of the international community and donor institutions, and they agreed in principle to the establishment of a Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute in Cotabato City as a capacity building centre for emerging leaders and professionals.

The Panels expressed their appreciation to H.E. Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi for the Malaysian Government’s continued role in facilitating the peace process and the leadership of H.E President Gloria Macapagal0Arroyo in the achievement of a durable, comprehensive and lasting peace in Mindanao.

The parties also conveyed their deep gratitude to Datuk Othman bin Abdul Razak who was recently appointed as Advisor to the Prime Minister and whose responsibilities include the ongoing peace talks.

They likewise acknowledged the sustained efforts demonstrated by the GRP and MILF technical working groups whose hard work made possible the successful outcome of the talks.

Done on the 7th of February 2006at Port Dickson, Malaysia.

For the GRP:

SILVESTRE C. AFABLE, JR. (

GRP PANEL CHAIR)

FOR THE MILF:

MOHGHER IQBAL (MILF PANEL CHAIR)