A midyear Assessment and Planning Workshop was held for the LMTs last July 22-23, 2004 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City, under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). A presentation was made by the Bantay Ceasefire represented by Mr. Brady Eviota from the secretariate, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID). In the assessment, Bantay Ceasefire (BC) suggested a more proactive role for the LMTs in conflict prevention…BC suggested roles in early detection and warning, meeting and dialogue with parties in potential conflict, and as “go-betweens” (although with clear limits). BC said conflict prevention should have primacy over the LMT powers and functions to “conduct fact-finding inquiries on matters referred to it by either CCCH…”
The LMTs were created as a ceasefire monitoring mechanism by the peace panels of the Philippine government (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in their June 2001 Agreement on Peace. The LMTs derive their mandate, powers and functions from the Implementing Guidelines on the Security Aspect of the GRP-MILF Tripoli Agreement of Peace issued on August 2001 and the Manual of Instructions for the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and LMTs adopted on October 2001. The LMTs are directly under the joint GRP and MILF CCCHs.
There are at present 13 province-level LMTs in the conflict affected areas, in Zambo Norte, Zambo Sur, Zambo Sibuguey, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Lanao Norte, Lanao Sur, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. But their operations differ because of the level of support from the chief executives of the local governments, inactive status of some members, unfilled positions including those from the religious and in a few cases, the vacancy in LGU positions after the results of the May 10 elections. Some are in a reactivation / reconstitution / reorganization stage.
The GRP CCCH meanwhile has a new chair, Brig. Gen. Alexander Yano, former commander of the Task Force General Santos/Sarangani; and a new member, Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Garcia of the PNP’s Directorate for Operations.
A midyear Assessment and Planning Workshop was held for the LMTs last July 22-23, 2004 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City, under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). A presentation was made by the Bantay Ceasefire represented by Mr. Brady Eviota from the secretariate, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID). He traced the origins of the Bantay Ceasefire missions in January 2003 which also aimed, among others, at assessing the status of the LMTs and recommended mechanisms for effective ceasefire monitoring and implementation. The January 2003 Bantay Ceasefire 1 report then commented on the LMTs through the following general findings:
- the lack of administrative and political guidelines;
- efficacy of provincial-level LMTs;
- problematic selection of LMT members; and
- practical difficulties.
In the assessment, Bantay Ceasefire (BC) suggested a more proactive role for the LMTs in conflict prevention, stressing the LMTs mandate under par. 2.b of the Manual of Instructions which states, “The LMTs shall prevent the escalation of conflict and address reported violations in their areas of responsibility.” BC suggested roles in early detection and warning, meeting and dialogue with parties in potential conflict, and as “go-betweens” (although with clear limits). BC said conflict prevention should have primacy over the LMT powers and functions to “conduct fact-finding inquiries on matters referred to it by either CCCH…”
Regarding LMT structures, BC reiterated its preference for municipal-level LMTs as being more effective by being closer to the ground. Although this view was taken well, there was concern over the logistics needed to support municipal-level LMTs and the practical question of selecting new appointees.However, some LMTs said they would recruit municipal-level “peace advocates” or “local peace monitors” to for effective monitoring; others said they will divide their provinces into more manageable “district” LMTs or to appoint an “area-in-charge”.
There were suggestions on the selection of LMT members, such as Muslim ustadzes instead of Catholic religious for the religious representative (to be agreed on by the GRP and MILF CCCH); and for local chief executives to delegate permanent, career positions for the LGU representative (e.g. in Basilan, the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator).
BC also suggested wider networking and linkages for the LMTs with the church, media, human rights and peace networks, Mindanao-wide and Manila networks and the traditional leaders like the Muslim council of elders in their areas.
The LMTs drew up and approved a six-month action plan until January 2005.Bantay Ceasefire remains as an unofficial ceasefire monitoring group that will relate with the CCCHs and LMTs as monitoring partners.
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