Statement of GPH-MILF Joint committee on cessation of hostilities

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 18): Statement of GPH-MILF Joint committee on cessation of hostilities

The two-day 44th Regular Meeting of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) and the 23rd Tripartite Meeting with the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) ended today with the resolution of all the outstanding issues and concerns. Both parties have also reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthen and enhance further their security and ceasefire functions in order to bolster confidence building measures. The body also highlighted the crafting of a new set of ceasefire mechanism activities that will solve the emerging issues vis-à-vis the maintenance of the Ceasefire Agreement.

In his opening statement, BGEN GLENN G MACASERO AFP, Chairman of the GPH CCCH outlined the details of the ceasefire mechanism’s activities and specified tasks to perform better its powers and functions. The template will also guide both parties in identifying and responding to relevant issues and concerns and to determine priority areas and activities to be more pro-active. He is also optimistic that the mechanism will remain focus to its noble intention of sustaining the gains of the ceasefire mechanisms and the peace process, as well.

For the part of the MILF CCCH, Honorable Butch Malang, OIC-Chairman of the MILF CCCH expressed his gratitude for the resumption of the joint meeting in order to address various reports on ceasefire violations as it weakens faith and trust in the ceasefire. The MILF CCCH OIC-Chairman considered the event as an obligatory task of the CCCH and IMT to amplify the common commitment to work together as partners in the sustenance of the ceasefire especially in the ground.

His excellency, MGEN DATO’ SHIEKH MOKHSIN BIN SHIEKH HASSAN, Head of Mission of the IMT M10, on his message, highlighted the mechanism’s endeavor as part of team work and mutual understanding among the members of the mechanisms towards stability of the Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao (CAAM). The Head of Mission urged both CCCH to do more efforts to perform their duties as ceasefire mechanisms. MGEN DATO’ SHIEKH MOKHSIN believes that the current development in the peace process is also the achievement of the peace mechanisms. For his final message, the Head of Mission is hopeful that peace will prevail in God’s will.

The following are the highlights of the meeting:

{C}1.    {C}On issue of MILF providing sanctuary to criminal elements, the MILF CCCH explained the allegations of codling Cmdr Tokboy, a lawless element, in Brgy. Butril, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat is baseless. According to the MILF AHJAG Chair, the MILF leadership is also running after Cmdr Tokboy whom they considered as a lawless element. This matter be referred to AHJAG who is mandated to handle this kind of problem.

{C}2.    {C}On the series of incidents of “rido” involving some BIAF-MILF elements, the MILF CCCH informed the body regarding the efforts of the MILF Task Force on Conflict Resolution Management (TFCRM) that handles “rido” concerns involving their members. The MILF CCCH will seek clearance from their principal regarding the sharing of the updates on the series of their efforts to settle “rido” to the GPH-CCCH.

{C}3.    {C}On the conduct of Law Enforcement Operation (LEO) by the MILF, particularly commander Abdullah Macapaar aka Bravo, GPH CCCH stressed that proper coordination should be followed by tapping the AHJAG and CCCH.

{C}4.    {C}On the concept and activities relative to the campaign against illegal drugs, the GPH requested a copy of the framework/concept, plans, directions and activities from the MILF CCCH relative to the said campaign which will be relayed to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), who will be the lead agency to the conduct of LEO against the suspects.

{C}5.    {C}On coordination protocol, prior coordination is stressed before movement of GPH and MILF forces near or within MILF communities. Both the GPH CCCH and MILF CCCH agreed to improve the feedback system to avoid misinterpretations regarding the purpose of the movement of GPH and MILF forces.

{C}6.    {C}Both parties agreed to fully cooperate through various ceasefire mechanisms in the protection of vital installations, civilian targets, AFP/PNP personnel and BIAF-MILF members from the attacks of lawless elements.

{C}7.    {C}On the role of the CCCH and IMT with the normalization bodies, such as Joint Normalization Committee (JNC), Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) and Joint Peace And Security Teams (JPST), the group agreed that a separate briefing from the officials of JNC will be coordinated for a better understanding of its mandate and its relationship to the other ceasefire mechanisms.

{C}8.    {C}On the proposed templates of activities (composed of Pro-active activities, Response to armed confrontation between the GPH and MILF Forces, Post-conflict activities-Investigate) that will serve as a guide of the CCCH members to implement its mandate, the MILF CCCH suggested that they will present it first to their Principals for comments before it will be adopted. Included in the proposed CCCH template is an action plan that will establish the Joint Ceasefire Crisis Team (JCCT), CCCH hotline, and telephone director of CCCH/IMT/LMT/JCMP/AHJAG/GPH-MILF Comdrs.

Done this 15th day of December 2015 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.

For the full statement visit http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/joint-statement-44th-jccch-meeting-23rd-tripartite-meeting

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3001450337391/statement-of-gph-milf-joint-committee-on-cessation-of-hostilities-