Ceasefire: Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro
Implementations
Ceasefire – 2014
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed in March 2014, reaffirming the 1997 Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities. In the two years after the agreement, violent outbreaks between the government and MILF forces were relatively rare, however, in 2000, conflict escalated dramatically due to government offensives resulting in roughly 1,055 combatant deaths. Between 2001 and 2011, the ceasefire failed to prevent violations, but confrontations were of minor intensity. Between 2012 and 2013, the ceasefire was respected by both the MILF and the government.[1]
Since the signing of the CAB, there were no official clashes between government forces and the MILF in 2014. However, accidental confrontations were occasional. In April, the MILF reported government attacks on its fighters, although it remains unclear if MILF forces were targeted intentionally.[2] These instances were reported to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and investigated by the ceasefire committees of the Philippine government and MILF.[3] In July, government soldiers and MILF forces clashed in the southern Philippines, killing 2 and wounding 4. Reports suggest that government forces were on a routine patrol in Marantao, Lanao del Sur when MILF soldiers opened fire.[4], [5] Later that month, the MILF reported large-scale movements by the government forces, including troops clad in full battle gear and backed by tanks. The government denied that these forces were acting on central orders, and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group were unaware of mass deployment or movement.[6], [7], [8]
[1] “UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia,” Uppsala Conflict Data Program – Uppsala University Department of Peace and Conflict Research.
[2] “Philippine military accused of attacking MILF fighters,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.
[3] “Philippine military accused of attacking MILF fighters,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.
[4] “2 killed, 4 wounded in S. Philippine ambush,” Xinhua General News Service, July 12, 2014.
[5] “Two killed, four wounded in gun fight between Philippines army, Moro rebels,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, July 13, 2014.
[6] “MILF accuses Philippines gov’t of ceasefire violations,” Anadolu Agency, July 26, 2014.
[7] “Philippine rebels accuse government forces of violating truce,” Xinhua General News Service, July 26, 2014.
[8] “Philippine Moro rebels accuse military of violating ceasefire,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, July 29, 2014.
Ceasefire – 2015
MILF and government police clashed on January 25 after the national police force entered a MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) community without coordinating with the joint government and rebel ceasefire panel, [1] resulting in approximately 50 casualties. [2], [3] An investigation by the International Monitoring Team (IMT) followed the incident, which concluded in April that both the government and MILF forces were at fault for violating the ceasefire.[4] In March, the government complained of a new MILF training facility in a remote village in Iligan City as well as renewed recruitment activity by the group.[5] On September 9, MILF members were reportedly involved in an attack on the village of Lutanyan, Sultan Kudarat province over a long-standing land dispute. MILF leadership responded that the incident was an isolated case and MILF as an organization was not involved at all.[6]
[1] “30 policemen killed in S. Philippines firefight,” Xinhua General News Service, January 25, 2015.
[2] “Philippines peace deal stalled as 50 police killed,” Anadolu Agency, January 26, 2015.
[3] “Philippines president admits lack of coordination during anti-rebel police raid,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, January 28, 2015.
[4] “Philippine police, rebels violated ceasefire, says monitors,” Times of Oman, April 6, 2015.
[5] “Philippines army hits rebel camp, recruitment in south,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, March 23, 2015.
[6] “Philippines: MILF members suspected of attack on town,” Anadolu Agency, September 10, 2015.
Ceasefire – 2016
As of September 17, 2016, the terms of the ceasefire have been upheld. The government and MILF coordinated ongoing military operations against other militant groups to ensure group movements did not violate the terms of the ceasefire. [1]
[1] “Philippine gov’t working closely with MILF on operations against terrorists: Official,” Xinhau General News Service, February 28, 2016
Ceasefire – 2017
As of November 24, 2017, the terms of the ceasefire have been upheld in 2017. However, activity by radical Islamic militant groups in Bangsamoro increased in 2017. The MILF continued to conduct military operations against these groups throughout the year in coordination with government military operations.[1]
[1] “Philippines troops, rebels team up against Marawi militants,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 7, 2017.
Ceasefire – 2018
No ceasefire violations were observed as of September 4, 2018.
Ceasefire – 2019
In March, the Third Party Monitoring Team reported that the ceasefire continued to hold.[1]
[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.
Ceasefire – 2020
No ceasefire violations were observed in the first two months of 2020.
Ceasefire – 2021
No ceasefire violations were observed in the first two months of 2020.