THE GPH-MILF PEACE PROCESS INFRASTRUCTURE

as of February 2016

THE GPH-MILF PEACE PROCESS INFRASTRUCTURE1

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Panels and Secretariats
The GPH and MILF Peace Panels, assisted by their respective
Secretariats, shall supervise the implementation of the GPH-MILF
agreements until the signing of the Exit Agreement.

THIRD PARTIES IN THE GPH-MILF PEACE PROCESS

Third-Party Facilitator est. 2001
Malaysia was invited to serve as facilitator to the GPH-MILF peace talks
by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In April 2011, Tengku Dato
Ab Ghafar Bin Tengku Mohamed replaced Datuk Othman bin Abd Razak
as facilitator.
International Contact Group (ICG) est. 2009
The ICG observes the GPH-MILF peace talks and extends necessary
assistance to sustain the trust and confidence between the Parties at
the negotiating table. Its country-members are Japan, Saudi Arabia,
Turkey, and United Kingdom. Its original NGO-members are Conciliation
Resources, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Muhammadiyah, and The
Asia Foundation (TAF). In September 2013, Rome-based Community of
SantEgidio replaced TAF in the ICG.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The OIC requested and was accepted to be an observer to the GPHMILF peace talks in 2012.
Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) est. 2013
The TPMT is tasked to review, assess, evaluate, and monitor the
implementation of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and
its Annexes. It is headed by former EU Ambassador to the Philippines
Alistair MacDonald and its four other members are Steven Rood of The
Asia Foundation, Huseyin Oru of Turkey-based IHH Humanitarian Relief
Foundation, Karen Taada of the Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute, and
Rahib Kudto of the United Youth for Peace and Development.
CEASEFIRE MECHANISMS

Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Posts (JCMPs) est. 2004

JCMPs are established in specific areas where there is high probability of
armed conflict. They act as early warning mechanisms and prevent the
occurrence of conflict within their areas of responsibility. Currently, there
are JCMPs located in: (1) Brgy. Dungguan, Aleosan, Cotabato; (2) Brgy.
Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao; (3) Brgy. Daliao, Maasim,
Sarangani; (4) Brgy. Linuan, Al-Barka, Basilan; (5) Brgy. Nanagun,
Butig, Lanao Del Sur; (6) Munai, Lanao Del Norte; and (7) Barko - Barko
[Tri-boundary of Tulunan, Cotabato; Columbio, Sultan Kudurat; and
Datu Paglas, Maguindanao]; (8) Brgy. Bungabong, Sultan Mastura,
Maguindanao; and (9) Brgy. Napnapon, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) est. 2005
The AHJAG was organized by virtue of the Joint Communiqu between
the GPH and the MILF signed in 2002. With its mandate annually
renewed, the AHJAG acts as a coordinative body that communicates,
monitors, and disseminates information between and among the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)
on the one hand, and the MILF and its Bangsamoro Islamic Armed
Forces (BIAF) on the other, to effect the apprehension of suspected
criminal elements and syndicates within or near MILF communities,
without jeopardizing the ceasefire. AHJAGs core group is composed of
four members each for the GPH and MILF. On the ground, the AHJAG
is deployed in five Area Teams with each team composed of two
representatives each from the GPH (AFP and PNP) and the MILF.
International Monitoring Team (IMT) est. 2004
The IMT whose mandate is renewed yearly is a multi-country body
that monitors the implementation of the AGCH and other ceasefirerelated agreements. Composed of military and civilian monitors, the
IMT is headed by Malaysia, with Indonesia, Brunei, Norway, Libya,
Japan, and EU as member-countries. It has four components: Security;
Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development; Socio-Economic
Assistance; and Civilian Protection.2 Apart from its headquarters in
Cotabato City, the IMT also has team sites in Cotabato City, Iligan City,
Zamboanga City, and General Santos City.

Verification and Monitoring Assistance Teams (VMATs) est. 2015

The VMATs are teams constituted by the IDB to assist in the verification
and monitoring of the decommissioning process. The VMAT composed
of three international experts secures the perimeter of the safe arms
storage area in Camp Abubakar where the 55 weapons turned in by the
MILF on 16 June 2015 are stored.
Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) est. 2014
The TJRC is tasked to undertake a study and to recommend to the
Panels appropriate mechanisms to address the legitimate grievances
of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and address
human rights violations and marginalization through land dispossession,
towards healing and reconciliation. It is chaired by a Swiss international
expert who is joined by one representative each from the GPH and
the MILF. In December 2015, the TJRC submitted its final report to the
Parties.
Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCTs) est. 2014
The JTFCTs are tasked to assess the needs, plan appropriate programs,
and undertake necessary measures in transforming the six MILF camps
acknowledged in 1999 (i.e., Camps Abubakar, Omar, Badre, Rajamuda,
Bilal, and Bushra) into peaceful and productive communities as part
of confidence-building measures between the Parties. The JTFCT for
each of the six camps will be composed of two members each from the
GPH and MILF. Their work will be supervised by Coordinators who will
provide overall leadership and direction.
Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and Their Communities
(TFDCC) est. 2015
The TFDCC undertakes efforts related to socio-economic and
development programs and projects for MILF combatants and their
communities aimed at helping them transition to productive civilian life.
It is composed of three members each from the GPH and MILF, with one
member from each Party serving as co-chairperson of the body.
OTHER MECHANISMS

MECHANISMS UNDER THE PROGRAM FOR NORMALIZATION

Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) est. 2014
The JNC coordinates all processes and components for the
implementation of the normalization process through a functional and
effective system. It is composed of three members each from the GPH
and MILF, and works closely with the Independent Decommissioning
Body (IDB).

Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs)

est. 1997
The GPH and MILF CCCHs were created pursuant to the Agreement
for General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH) signed in 1997, to supervise
and monitor the implementation and maintenance of the ceasefire
between the Parties. The CCCHs undertake inquiries, prepare reports,
and recommend appropriate action on alleged and proven ceasefire
violations. They conduct visits and inspections in areas where the
ceasefire is in effect to ensure that no factor that could lead to a break in
the ceasefire exists.

Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) est. 2014

The JPSC, composed of three representatives each from the GPH and
the MILF, is a joint mechanism that works directly under the JNC in
coordinating the security component of the normalization process.

Local Monitoring Teams (LMTs) est. 2003

LMTs complement the work of the CCCHs. Each LMT is composed
of five representatives from the local government units, civil society
organizations, and the religious sector. They conduct fact-finding
missions for the CCCHs and act as first responders to crisis situations.
Currently, there are LMTs in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato,
Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani.

Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) est. 2014

The IDB oversees the process of decommissioning, including inventory,
verification and validation of MILF forces and weapons. It is composed
of three international experts (from Turkey, Norway, and Brunei), and
four local experts jointly nominated by the Parties.

Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) est. 2015

As operating units of the JPSC, the JPSTs are tasked to work for
the maintenance of peace and order and stability of areas mutually
identified by the Parties. They are composed of contingents from the
AFP, PNP, and the BIAF.

Working Group on Vulnerable Sectors est. 2016

The working group will recommend to the Panels a set of interventions
for identified vulnerable sectors, including widows, orphans, people with
disabilities, detainees and their families.
Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) est. 2013
The ICP was tasked to submit recommendations to the Panels related to
an appropriate police force for the Bangsamoro. In April 2014, the ICP
submitted its final report of recommendations to the Panels. The ICP
was composed of three experts from Australia, Japan and Canada (with
the Canadian expert serving as Chair), and four local experts from the
GPH and the MILF.
Coordination Team for the Transition to the Bangsamoro Transition
Authority (CT4T) est. 2014
The CT4T is the primary mechanism for coordination between the
Parties and concerned agencies to ensure that the necessary and
appropriate steps are undertaken in preparation for the transition
leading to the installation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority
(BTA). It is composed of representatives from GPH (including the ARMM
Regional Government) and the MILF.
1

This document describes the various elements comprising the GPH-MILF peace process
infrastructure as of February 2016.
2 The Civilian Protection Component of the IMT (CPC-IMT) is composed of international
and local non-government organizations.