Statement by the Joint Monitoring Committee on the Opening of the Office of its Joint Secretariat - June 4, 2004
The Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Monitoring Committee (GRP-MC) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Monitoring Committee (NDFP-MC) today formally open the offices of the Joint Secretariat (JS) of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) at the 6th Floor, Immaculate Conception Multi-Purpose center, 41 Lantana St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.
His Grace, the Most Reverend Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, DD, of the Diocese of Cubao officiated in the blessing of the offices.
The earlier formation and operationalization of the JMC—which is principally tasked to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)—are important breakthroughs of the recent two rounds of formal talks between the GRP and the NDFP in Oslo, Norway on February 10-14, 2004 and March 30-April 2, 2004.
In accordance with the operational Guidelines for the Joint Monitoring Committee dated February 14, 2004 attached to the Oslo Joint statement of even date, as well as the Second Oslo Statement of April 3, 2004 at the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) compound in Manila.
Since then, they have earnestly conducted several frank meetings and consultations with each other with representatives of the Royal Norwegian Government to finalize the setting up of the office, budget, personnel, office procedures and other matters with respect to their Joint Secretariat. The Norwegian government is acting as a Third Party Facilitator to the ongoing peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP.
The official opening of the JS puts into full operation its function to provide technical and administrative support to the JMC by mainly receiving complaints and reports of alleged human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law from both sides and forwarding them to their respective Monitoring Committees for appropriate action. It shall hold office daily from Monday to Friday and shall be open during business hours and maintain a hotline.
The GRP nominated section to the JMC Secretariat is composed of nominees by the GRP: Panel Executive Director Ma. Carla Munsayac Villarta as GRP Secretariat Head. Fe A. Oaing, Linda N. Cañete, Sandra L. Garcia, with Atty. Sarah Lou Y. Arriola as legal consultant.
Both sections are respectively assisted by the necessary staff contracted for additional administrative support.
In accordance likewise with the Operational Guidelines for thr JMC, all members and staff of the Joint Secretariat serve at the pleasure of their respective Nominating Parties and shall be entitled to safety and immunity guarantees stipulated in the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) dated February 24, 1995 and the additional Implementing Rules pertaining to the Documents of Identification dated June 26, 1996.
His Excellency Ambassador Paul Moe of the Royal Norwegian Government graced the occasion. Other members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international humanitarian organizations, human rights, justice and peace advocates, church people, peace negotiating participants and consultants, mass organizations, some victims of human rights violations, and the media attended the ceremonies.
With opening of the offices of the Joint Secretariat, a physical base has been established for its full operation. The Joint Monitoring Committee has, therefore, successfully completed the technical and administrative mechanism to help its tasks of monitoring the implementation of the CARHRIHL and is now functional.
CARLOS P. MEDINA JR.
Chairperson, GRP-MC
FIDEL V. AGCAOILI
Chairperson, NDFP-MC
