Agreements related to GPH-MILF cessation of hostilities and ad hoc joint action group

Below are four documents related to the agreements on the general cessation of hostilities, on the ad hoc joint action group, and on the international monitoring team between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), agreed for the following: to commit the armed forces of the GRP and the MILF to a General Cessation of Hostilities; to direct their Sub-Committee on Cessation of Hostilities to meet on 30 July 1997, and on such dates thereafter, but not to exceed two (2) months, to draw and finalise the guidelines and ground rules for the implementation of this Agreement; and to resume and proceed with the formal peace talks in a venue to be mutually upon between the GRP and the MILF Panels.

Download the full agreement here.

Implementing Operational Guidelines of the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities

Article III of this operational guidelines enumerates the Ground Rules for the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities. This includes the following:

1. The GRP and MILF shall desist from committing any prohibited hostile and provocative acts, as described in this Implementing Guidelines and Ground RUles.

2. Movement of MILF forces outside their identified areas, as jointly determined by the GRP and MILF CCCH, shall be coordinated by concerned MILF commanders to the GRP forces' commanders for clearance prior to said movements.

3. Forces not identified by the GRP and MILF CCCH shall be deemed not covered by this implementing Guidelines and Ground RUles.

4. Observation or cessation of hostilities and conduct of inquiry by the GRP-MILF Coordinating COmmittees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).

5. Disposition of violations of cessation of hostilities

6. Security of the GPH and MILF Panels and CCCH Members

Download the full agreement here.

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Joint Communique on AHJAG 2002

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to the isolation and interdiction of all criminal syndicates and kidnap-for-ransom groups, including the so-called "lost-commands" operating in Mindanao.

Both sides agreed that the activities of these criminal groups impede the peace process, the effective pursuit of development programs, and the efficient delivery of basic services to the poor. For this purpose, immediatae and joint action is needed for the security and upliftment of the affected communities.

Download the full communique here.

Implementing Guidelines of the 2002 AHJAG Communique

This set of guidelines to implement the provision of the Joint Communique dated May 6, 2002 between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front related to the isolation and interdiction of all criminal syndicates/kidnap for ransom groups and other criminal groups including the so called "Lost Commands" operating in Mindanao.

These Implementing Guideline apply only to operations against criminal syndicates/kidnap-for-ransom groups, lost commands and other criminal elements within MILF areas/communities.

Download the full agreement here.

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Terms of Reference of the International Monitoring Team (IMT)

The objective of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) is to monitor the implementation of the Agreement on Peace between the GPH and the MILF of 22 June 2001 and its Implementing Guidelines on the Security Aspect of 7 August 2001 and Implementing Guidelines on the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Aspects of 7 May 2002 (Tripoli Agreement) and Agreement on the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) of the IMT of 27 October 2009.

Download the full agreement here.

Agreement on the Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team (IMT)

The Parties reconfirm their obligations under humanitarian law and human rights law to take constant care to protect the civilian population and civilian properties, against the dangers arising in armed conflict situations. In this context, the Parties commit themselves to: a) Refrain from intentionally targeting or attacking non-combatants, prevent suffering of the civilian population and avoid acts that would cause collateral damage to civilians; b) Refrain from targeting or intentionally attacking civilian properties or facilities such as schools, hospitals, religious premises, health and food distribution centers, or relief operations, or objects or facilities indispensable to the...

Download the full agreement here.