grp – milf negotiations
TRANSCRIPT
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GRP MILF NEGOTIATIONSLessons Learned, Challenges, and
Ways Forward
Abhoud Syed M. LinggaInstitute of Bangsamoro Studies
The Waging Peace in the Philippines Conference of 2006
Twenty Years of Waging Peace in the Philippines -
Learning Lessons for Policy and Practice
December 5-6, 2006
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GRP-MILF Formal Talks
Negotiations to solve the Mindanao problem wereconfined with the MNLF before the 1996 Peace Accord.
Contacts between the GRP and the MILF were at theinformal level.
August 3, 1996, Sec. Ruben Torres met MILF vice chairfor political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar in Davao City.
Another meeting was held in Cagayan de Oro City onSept. 9-10, 1996 where issues on cessation of hostilitiesand creation of technical committees to draw talking
points and guidelines of ceasefire were discussed.
Jan. 7, 1997, first meeting of the technical committees ofGRP and MILF Peace panels. The start of the formalnegotiations.
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GRP and MILF recognize
The need for comprehensive, just and lasting politicalsettlement of the conflict in Mindanao throughnegotiations.
That the peace negotiations between the GRP andMILF is for the advancement of the the general interest
of the Bangsamoro people and other indigenous people.
The negotiation and peaceful resolution of the conflictmust involve consultations with the Bangsamoro peoplefree of any imposition.
The Bangsamoro peoples fundamental right todetermine their own future and political status.
respect for the identity, culture and aspirations of allpeoples of Mindanao.
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Agenda
1. Security
2. Humanitarian, rehabilitation anddevelopment of conflict-affected
areas
3. Ancestral domain
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Agreements
1. Security Aspects
Implementation of ceasefire agreements Acknowledgment of MILF Camps Isolation and interdiction of criminal elements Setting up of mechanism
GRP and MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation ofHostilities (CCCH)
Local Monitoring Team (LMT) International Monitoring Team
Malaysia Brunei Libya Japan (Socio-economic)
Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG)
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Agreements
2. Humanitarian, rehabilitation and development ofconflict-affected areas
Return and rehabilitation of evacuees
Establish of MILF project implementing body Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA)
Reparation
Respect for human rights and observance of
international humanitarian laws Bangsamoro Leadership and Management
Institute - capacity building center for Moroleaders and professionals
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Agreements
3. Ancestral Domain
Discussions divided into four strands Concept
Territory Resources
Governance
Consensus were reached on many issues in the
four strands There was an empasse during the 13th
exploratory talks on the issue of territory
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Lessons Learned
Incremental approach to the negotiations is very
helpful
Involvement of third party is valuable to bring
together conflicting parties to talk peace and to
break deadlock. The third party must have the
creativity and credibility.
The presence of the IMT has reduced
significantly armed confrontations between the
BIAF and the AFP.
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Challenges
Spoliers
Lack of coherent voices from national and
local governments
Issue of terrorism
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Way Forward
There is need for both parties to observe unwrittenagreements. The empasse was triggered by GRPproposal that the issue at hand should be subject toconstitutional process - a violation of the unwrittenagreement that the GRP shall not raise in thenegotiations constitutional issues, Philippine sovereigntyand territorial integrity; on the other hand the MILF shallnot raise the issue of independence.
There is need for creative and innovative approach toaddress sovereignty-based conflicts.
Recognition of the Bangsamoro right of self-determination Referendum to determine their political status
The Government has to exercise strong political will toreign in oppositors from all branches of governments(including the local governmetn units).
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Way Forward
The peace process does not end in the
signing of peace agreement. Equally
important is the faithful implementation of
the provisions of the agreement. Theparties should agree on
road map of implementation
benchmarks to guide parties
presence of international third party monitors