GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS VISITING THE CONFLICT-AFFECTED AREAS IN MINDANAO WHEREAS, foreign governments and international organizations continue to Play constructive role in the peace and development agenda in Mindanao; WHEREAS, the Philippine Government has the interest and duty to ensure the security of the representatives of foreign governments and_ international organizations, especially those visiting the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, including those accompanying them; WHEREAS, consistent with Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Philippine Government ensures the freedom of movement and travel of members of diplomatic mission, with due regard to the considerations of national ‘security; WHEREAS, Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations states that, “[wlithout prejudice to their privilegés and immunities, itis the duty of all Persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.”; WHEREAS, there are Foreign Governments and Intergovernmental Entities, which are part of the GRP-MILF Peace Process either as Third-Party Facilitator or members of the International Monitoring Team and the International Contact Group, and are governed by the Agreement or Terms of Reference effective between them, the Philippine Government, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). WHEREAS, there are UN Agencies and other International Organizations which have concluded Agreements or Terms of Reference with the Philippine Government affecting their conduct in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao; WHEREAS, in view of the foregoing circumstances, there is a need to establish guidelines to govern the conduct of Foreign Governments and Intergovernmental Entities, and UN Agencies and other International Organizations: NOW THEREFORE, the following guidelines shall govern the visits and presence of foreign governments and international organizations in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. A. Foreign Governments and Intergovernmental Entities 1. Representatives of Foreign Governments and_ Intergovernmental Entities (FGIEs) shall seek prior clearance from the Philippine Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), before they can visit Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao or any other similar sites, or meet with the leaders, negotiators or commanders of the MILF thereat.2. _ FGIEs shall give prior notice to the Philippine Government, through the DFA, of any visit to or presence at, or conduct of activities of their representatives in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. They are encouraged to inform the Philippine Government, through the DFA, of the outcome of such visit, presence or activity 3. If the purpose of such visit, presence or activity in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao is pursuant to a developmental or humanitarian aid in Coordination with an implementing agency, the FGIEs shall likewise maintain communication with the implementing agency through the DFA B. UN Agencies and Other International Organizations/Development Agencies 1. The UN Agencies and other International Organizations/Development Agencies shall coordinate with the Philippine Government, through the DFA, their proposed time-bound visit to or presence at, or conduct of activities in conflict- affected areas in Mindanao. 2. The UN Agencies and other International Organizations/Development Agencies are likewise encouraged to. inform the Philippine Government, through the DFA, of the outcome of such visit, presence or activity. 3. Where the visit, presence or activity is in coordination with an implementing agency, the UN Agency or International Organizations/Development Agencies concerned should likewise maintain communication with the implementing agency through the DFA.