Mindanao-Sulu Crises PDF

1963 – UN survey, Sabah wanted to stay with Malaysia. THE MINDANAO-SULU CRISES The state affairs of Moro land had become very bad by the late 1960 and early 1970 had reached crises proportion. Three events in particular help to precipitate the crises in Min...

1963 – UN survey, Sabah wanted to stay with Malaysia. THE MINDANAO-SULU CRISES The state affairs of Moro land had become very bad by the late 1960 and early 1970 had reached crises proportion. Three events in particular help to precipitate the crises in Mindanao and Sulu. 1) Jabidah Massacre or Corregidor Incident on March 17, 1968 At least 28 Muslim recruits out of a larger number undergoing guerilla warfare training in Corregidor Island (allegedly in secret preparation for Philippine military operations in Sabah) were treacherously and summarily executed late in March 1968 by Philippine Army personnel. 2) The November 1971 Elections There were significant because they formalized the shift of political power from Muslims to Christians in parts of Moroland. They also stimulated the rise and activity of rival Christian and Muslim groups, escalated the level of violence and attracted the attention of Muslim states abroad. In Cotabato region, an ex-Philippine Constabulary Commander, a Christian, ran against the incumbent Muslim governor of North Cotabato. The Christian won and most of the towns elected Christian mayors. 3) The Declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972 Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos availing himself of Article VII, Section 10, paragraph 2 of the Philippine Constitution issued the Proclamation 1081 declaring Philippines under martial law, one of the reasons he gave for doing so was the existence of the conflict between Muslims and Christians in Mindanao and Sulu. Many Moros were appalled and incensed at the inhuman treatment of them: 1) MIM (Muslim/ Mindanao Independence Movement) It was founded by the former governor of Cotabato, Datu UdtogMatalam on May 1, 1968 to which the establishment of Islamic Republic of Mindanao and Sulu was the main objective. This was founded due to the Corregidor Incident or Jabidah Massacre on March 17, 1968. The militaries of MIM were called Black shirts because of their uniforms. 2) BMLO (Bangsa Moro Liberation Organization) An organization founded by Rashid Lucman, Datu Udtog Matalam and Salipada Pendatun. It was designed to function as an umbrella organization under which all other liberation forces must radiate. 3) MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) It was founded by young secular minded professionals and students in Manila, mainly Prof. Nur Misuari (then an instructor at the University of the Philippines) and Abulkhair Alonto (then a law student at San Beda College). It was first a secret revolutionary movement while strengthening their forces until Martial Law was declared. It was considered the most strongest and disciplined Moro group. 44 4) MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) From 1977 to 1984 was known as New MNLF Leadership. On December 26, 1977, Hashim Salamat executed the “Instrument of Takeover.” In his letter to OIC, Salamat enumerated the following summarized points for takeover: 1. The MNLF leadership headed by Nur Misuari was being manipulated away from Islamic orientation and was leaning on a Marxist-Maoist orientation. 2. The MNLF leadership under Nur Misuari was mysterious and secretive. 3. The exclusive and arrogant nature of MNLF leadership under Nur Misuari. In March 1984, the Central Committee of the New MNLF Leadership, in a plenary, session, officially declared itself a separate organization Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The most notable about this organization is the need to emphasize the Islamic orientation of the group as contrasted to the secularist-nationalist line, the MNLF. Islam thus becomes the official ideology of the group which was founded by Dr. Hashim Salamat. DR. USTADZ SALAMAT HASHIM One of the founders of the MNLF and founding Islamic-oriented chairman of the MILF, dearly dubbed by many Moros as Ameerul Mujahideen of the Bangsamoro, he is known to the Moros as Ustadz and respectfully called by the junior members of the MILF as lokes or lokes tanu (variously translated as “old man” or “our hoarier” or “our elder”) as an expression of their utmost respect, admiration and commitment to his leadership. Brief Life History Salamat was born on July 7, 1942 in what used to be Cotabato province and which is now Maguindanao. He finished his elementary education in 1954 with honor and secondary education also with honor in 1958 in Maguindanao. When Salamat Hashim was 16, he took off from Pagalungan, Maguindanao, his birthplace, for a long journey to the Middle East. He joined pilgrims from Philippines in their voyage to Makkah in 1958. In 1959, he went to Egypt and studied in Al-Azhar University in Cairo, a prestigious and known university in the Muslim world, where he earned his secondary schooling in Arabic, degree in basic Islamic studies, masters‟ degree in philosophy and completed the units required for doctoral degree in Islamic studies. His doctoral dissertation The Rise of Islam in Southeast Asia was burned in late 1973 when the Philippine military attacked his house in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. He was about to receive his doctoral degree when he decided and chose to return in the Philippines to organize the MNLF with other Moros. He spent 21 years of his life abroad, from 1959 to 1970. Most of those 21 years in abroad were spent in Cairo, Egypt. Shortly after Pres. Ferdinand Marcos had declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972, Salamat stayed in Libya for a few years and in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for few more years. Just after the Jabidah Massacre on March 17, 1968, Salamat and Mr. Nur Misuari, who was then an instructor in the University of the Philippines (Diliman) together with some Moros organized the Moro National Liberation Front with an aim of liberating the Bangsamoros and their homeland from the Republic of the Philippines after feeling that the Philippine government became an instrument of oppression against the Moros and to counter Ilaga, a non-Moro movement or 45 “Christian” militia group organized by the non-Moro political warlords to secure their political interest and protect their acquired vast lands in Moro land through killing Moros including innocent Moro non-combatants and burning their houses, schools and masjids. In 1975, for the first time negotiations were conducted between the Philippine Government and MNLF and Salamat headed the MNLF negotiating panel. After the signing of the Tripoli Agreement on December 23, 1976 between GRP and MNLF, he dramatically separated from the MNLF and later on organized the MILF. On July 13, 2003, Salamat Hashim passed away from old age at the age of 61 and his demise was only publicly announced after few days to avoid hurting morale within the MILF and the entire Bangsamoro. Numerous white banner cloths were hanged in the different areas of the Moros printed on them what Salamat had said Even if I die, surely I have already planted the seed of the struggle to hearts of my people showing their deep mourning of his demise. After his death, he was succeeded by Murad Ebrahim (popularly known as Kadi/ Kagi Morad) as MILF chairman. He bequeathed his writing Bangsamoro Mujahid, His Objectives and Responsibilities to the MILF Mujahideen as guidelines in the conduct of their activities and their interrelations with one another. ILAGAS (RATS) It was Christian militia in the Philippines that operated during 1970‟s in Upi, North Cotabato as counterpart the Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM). It was started by a Christian Ilonggo settler, Feliciano Luces (alias Toothpick), led a band of Tirurays in attacks against Moros. It is also widely known as the paramilitary unit of Christian mayors in Cotabato. June 19, 1971 Some seventy (70) Moro men, women and children were massacred by Ilagas at a masjid (mosque) in Barrio Manili, Carmen, North Cotabato. July 4, 1971 In Wao, Lanao del Sur which had a sizeable Christian population, a grenade exploded inside a masjid and numerous Muslim homes were burned by Ilagas. Bad as the situation was in Lanao del Sur, the situation in the province of Lanao del Norte was worse. There the most powerful political leaders were a Muslim Congressman and a Christian Governor. They had begun as political allies in the mid-1960s but by the 1970 elections for Constitutional Convention delegates they had become bitter rivals. This rivalry developed quickly into a political battle dividing Muslims and Christians. BARRACUDA It was organized by the Muslim governor candidate in Lanao del Norte that began in 1971 depredations in towns on the northern coastline in support of the political cause of the Muslim candidate running for governor against the Christian incumbent in the November election. October 17, 1971 There were 17 men of a 22-man Constabulary patrol were killed in an ambush by Barracudas in the town of Magsaysay. This was followed the next day by the revenge slaughter 66 Muslims in a skirmish, also in Magsaysay. 46 November 22, 1971 (TACUB MASSACRE) A group of civilian Moro voters, returning after dark in several trucks from the special election in Magsaysay, were fired upon by government troops in Barrio Tacub in the Municipality of Kauswagan. At least 40 Moros were killed, with no fatality on the government side. Their bodies were then reportedly mutilated by Christian civilian bystanders. Because of the worsening condition in Mindanao and growing numerous rebellions throughout the country Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared the Philippines under martial law on September 21, 1972. October 21, 1972 The first major armed defiance of the martial law regime occurred in Lanao del Sur, a rebel force of several hundred Moros attacked the Philippine Constabulary headquarters in Marawi City, seized the Mindanao State University. MARCOS AND THE 1976 TRIPOLI AGREEMENT AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION The TRIPOLI AGREEMENT was an agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) with the participation of the Quadripartite Ministerial Commission members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Secretary General of the OIC which provided for the establishment of AUTONOMY in the Southern Philippines comprising the following provinces: 1. Basilan 9. Sultan Kudarat 2. Sulu 10. North Cotabato 3. Tawi-tawi 11. South Cotabato 4. Zamboangadel Norte 12. Davao del Sur 5. Zambongadel Sur 13. Palawan (including all the cities and 6. Lanao del Norte villages situated in the above mentioned 7. Lanao del Sur Provinces) 8. Maguindanao This agreement also provided that in the areas of autonomy, a Legislative Assembly and an Executive Council should be formed and the Muslims should have the right to set up their own courts which will implement the Islamic Laws (Shari‟ a). It further allowed the Philippine Government to take all the necessary constitutional processes for the implementation of the entire Agreement. The Tripoli Agreement was signed on December 23, 1976 at Tripoli Libya. The signatories were: Carmelo Barbero (Undersecretary of National Defense for Civilian Relations), representing the Philippine Government. Nur Misuari (Chairman of the MNLF), representing the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Dr. Ahmed Karim Gai (Secretary-General of the OIC). Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki (Libyan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs), chairman of the negotiation. The members of the Quadripartite Ministerial Commission were the representatives from: 1. Libya 2. Saudi Arabia 47  3. Somalia 4. Senegal The function or task of the Commission was to enter into discussion with the Philippine Government about the situation of the Muslims in the Southern Philippines. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1976 TRIPOLI AGREEMENT To implement the Tripoli Agreement, Ferdinand Marcos did the following: 1. Proclamation No. 1628, it was issued on March 25, 1977 declaring autonomy in Southern Philippines (in those 13 provinces) and creating Provisional Regional Government. 2. Decreed the holding of referendum-plebiscite on April 17, 1977 to determine the manner in which the inhabitants of the areas of autonomy may wish to organize themselves administratively. The result of the referendum, only ten (10) provinces voted for autonomy thus reducing the areas of autonomy from thirteen (13) provinces (as agreed in the Tripoli Agreement) to ten. 3. Created two Regional Autonomous Governments (RAGs) in the Southern Philippines such as Region 9 and Region 12 composed of ten provinces (five for each region). Region 12 Region 9 1. Lanao del Norte 1. Sulu 2. Lanao del Sur 2. Tawi-tawi 3. North Cotabato 3. Basilan 4. Maguindanao 4. Zamboangadel Sur 5. Sultan Kudarat 5. Zamboangadel Norte Not included in the two autonomous regions were: 1. South Cotabato 2. Davao del Sur 3. Palawan 4. Presidential Decree No. 1618, it was issued on July 25, 1979 implementing the organization of the Sangguniang Pampook and the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook in the Autonomous Regions 9 and 12 and it further defines the scope of internal autonomy of the Autonomous Regions and the powers and functions of the Sangguniang Pampook. The Sangguniang Pampook and the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook were created or organized by Batas PambansaBlg. 20 on March 23, 1979. a. Sangguniang Pampook. It was the Regional Legislative Assembly exercised the legislative powers, thus, it was the law-making body of the autonomous region. b. Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook. It was the Regional Executive Council, the body which executed or implemented or caused the implementation of the laws and enactments passed by the SangguniangPampook. 48  5. Presidential Decree No. 1083 (The Code of Muslim Personal Laws). It was issued on February 4, 1977. This code recognizes the legal system of the Muslims in the Philippines as part of the law of the land and seeks to make Islamic instructions more effective. Presidential Decree No. 1083 embodies Muslim personal laws pertaining to: 1. Personal Status 2. Marriage and Divorce 3. Rights and Obligations and Property Relations between husband and wife 4. Property Filiations 5. Parental Authority 6. Support and Maintenance 7. Succession and Inheritance The following constitute the machinery for the administration and enforcement of P.D. 1083: 1. Shari‟ a Courts (Shari‟ a Circuit and District Courts) 2. Agama Arbitration Council 3. Jurisconsult in Islamic Law  Agama Arbitration Council. It is an ad hoc body constituted by Shari‟a Court in cases such as divorce (by Talaq or Tawjid) or subsequent marriages and those offences against customary law. The function of the council is to give advice or to bring about conciliation or an amicable settlement between parties.  Jurisconsult in Islamic Law. The one who renders legal opinion, based on recognized authorities, regarding any question relating to Muslim law. He must be at least 40 years old, of food moral character and proven integrity, an eminent scholar in the Qur‟an, Hadith and in Islamic jurisprudence and he must also be proficient in Arabic. Marcos also created several offices to attend to the specific needs of Muslim Filipinos. These offices were: 1. Commission on Islamic Affairs. The president‟s arm for the direct assistance to Muslims in Southern Philippines. 2. Agency for the Welfare and Development of Muslims. This gave assistance in welfare and religious activities of the Muslim Filipinos. 3. Philippine Pilgrimage Authority (Hajj). This made the necessary arrangements and subsidized the annual hajj to Makka. 4. Office of Islamic Affairs. This supervised harmonious relations with Islamic states. Later, this was changed to the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA). Now, the OMA is replaced by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. It was also during the time of Marcos that the Philippine Amanah Bank was created with branches established in Zamboanga City, Marawi City, Cotabato City and Jolo. This special “Islamic Bank” was created to provide loans and credits to the Muslim Filipinos in accordance with Islamic principles. However, Marcos implementation of the Tripoli Agreement created disagreements between the MNLF and the Philippine Government which prompted the MNLF to revive its original demand for independence and renew its struggle against the government. AQUINO ADMINISTRATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (ARMM) 49  In 1986, Corazon C. Aquino became the president of the Philippines as a result of the People Power Revolution which forced Marcos to leave the country. Negotiations between the MNLF and Aquino‟s Administration again failed because they could not accept each other‟s demands; neither could they agree on a compromise. The MNLF insisted on the full implementation of the Tripoli agreement while the Philippine Government emphasized the constitutional provisions on the establishment of autonomy in Muslim Mindanao. The present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was established during the administration of the former President Aquino, and was created within the framework of the following: 1987 Philippine Constitution National Sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines Territorial Integrity of the Republic of the Philippines The 1987 Philippine Constitution provided that “creation of the autonomous region shall be effective only when approved by the majority constituent units in a plebiscite called for the purpose.” And pursuant to this provision, on November 19, 1989, a plebiscite was held in the thirteen (13) provinces agreed in the Tripoli Agreement. In that plebiscite, the people were asked to ratify the Organic Act for ARMM which is Republic Act 6734 enacted by Congress on June 8, 1989 with the assistance on June 8, 1989 with the assistance and participation of the Regional Consultative Commission (RCC) and signed into law by former President Corazon Aquino on August 1, 1989. Four provinces ratified the Organic Act and this result determined the territorial coverage of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The four provinces included in the ARMM are the following: 1. Lanao del Sur 3. Sulu 2. Maguindanao 4.Tawi-tawi The Republic Act 6734 (the Organic Act for ARMM) defines the following: 1. The basic structure of Government for the Autonomous Region of the executive department and the legislative assembly both of which shall be elective and representative of the constituent political units. 2. It provides for Special Courts with personal, family and property law jurisdiction consistent with the provisions of the Philippine Constitution. RAMOS AND THE 1996 GRP-MNLF FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT In 1992, Fidel V. Ramos was elected president of the Republic of the Philippines. One of his immediate concerns was to pursue a peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in Mindanao involving the Moro National Liberation Front. The peaceful negotiations with the MNLF which was started in 1992 ended with the signing of the GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement and with Nur Misuari‟s acceptance of the Government offer to become the chairman of the Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD). Nur Misuari was also persuaded to become the Government‟s official candidate in the election for ARMM governor. After signing two statements of understanding and interim agreements in four rounds of formal peace talks all held in Jakarta, Indonesia (in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996), the Philippine Government and MNLF finally concluded their peace talks with the signing of the GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement. The 1996 GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement is the final agreement on the implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) with the participation of the Organization of Islamic Conference Ministerial Committee of the Six and the Secretary-General of the OIC. 50  This agreement was signed in Manila on September 2, 1996. The signatories were: Ambassador Manuel T. Yan, he represented the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Prof. Nur Misuari, he represented the Moro National Liberation Front Ali Alatas (Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs), he was the chairman of the OIC Ministerial Committee of the Six Dr. Hamid Al-Gabid, he was the secretary general of the OIC. The members of the Ministerial Committee of the Six were representatives of: 1. Libya 3. Somalia 5. Indonesia 2. Saudi Arabia 4. Senegal 6. Bangladesh IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1996 GRP-MNLF FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT The GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement is to be implemented in two (2) stages or phases. PHASE 1. It covers a three (3) year period (1996-1999) which includes: 1. The establishment of the Special Zone for Peace and Development (SZOPAD), Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), the Consultative Assembly. 2. The joining of the MNLF elements with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) PHASE 2. Implementation of the Peace Agreement involves: 1. The amendment to or repeal the Organic Act (Republic Act 6734) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through Congressional action, after which the amendatory law passed by the Congress and approved by the President shall be submitted to the people for approval in a plebiscite in the concerned areas. The plebiscite will determine the establishment of a new autonomous government and the specific area of autonomy. 2. The establishment of a new Regional Autonomous Government. The new area of autonomy shall be determined by the provinces and cities that will vote or choose to join the autonomy. The Special Zone for Peace and Development in the Southern Philippines covers the provinces of: 1. Basilan 2. Sulu And the cities of: 3. Tawi-tawi 4. Zamboanga del Norte 1. Cotabato 5. Zamboanga del Sur 2. Dapitan 6. Lanao del Norte 3. Dipolog 7. Lanao del Sur 4. General Santos 8. North Cotabato 5. Iligan 9. South Cotabato 6. Marawi 10. Maguindanao 7. Pagadian 11. Sultan Kudarat 8. Zamboanga 12. Davao del Sur 9. Puerto Princesa 13. Sarangani 14. Palawan 51  The Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) composed of one (1) chairman, one (1) vice-chairman and (3) deputies representing the Muslims, the Christians and the cultural communities. The SPCPD is a transitory administrative arm under the control and supervision of the President. It has no governing or law-making power. Its main power and function is to take charge in promoting, monitoring, coordinating and implementing the improvement of peace and order in the area. The 1996 GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement, however, partly solved the problem on armed conflict in Mindanao. The Philippine Government is still confronted with another serious problem. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not willing to compromise its demand for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in Mindanao. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES (GPH) AND THE MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT (MILF), 1997 to 2012 Some of the reasons why Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiated with the Philippine Government even after the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement according to Mohagher Iqbal. 1. The MNLF has given up the Right-to-Self-Determination (RSD) in the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. The RSD is expressed in the past tense. “Whereas, the MNLF, led by Professor Nur Misuari, inspired by their quest for peace and prosperity, had in the past asserted the right of the Moro people to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their religious, social, economic and cultural development;” 2. The MNLF has agreed that in case of conflict in the interpretation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement then the interpretation of the Philippine Government must be observed. “This Peace Agreement, which is the full implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, embodies and constitutes the totality of all the agreements, covenant and understandings between the GRP and the MNLF respecting all the subject matters embodied herein. This Agreement supersedes and modifies all agreements, consensus, covenants, documents and communications not referred to or embodied in this Agreement or whose terms and conditions are otherwise inconsistent herewith. Any conflict in the interpretation of this Agreement shall be resolved in the light of the Philippine Constitution and existing laws.” The peace negotiations or peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and non-state entity Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is divided into two phases: First Phase or Domestic Stage (1997-2000) and Second Phase or International Stage (2001-2012). First Phase or Domestic Stage (1997-2000) The initial meeting of GRP and MILF members of the technical committees on agenda setting at Da‟wah Center, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Magindanaw on January 7, 1997 marked the starting point of formal peace negotiations between GRP and MILF. 52  The First Phase of the peace negotiations from 1997 to 2000 revolved mainly around on security issues and cessation of hostilities. Confidence-building measures and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) - Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) ceasefire matters were firmed up in the early stages of the negotiations. This stage likewise distinguished as Diplomatic Stage, during which negotiations were conducted inside the Philippines, Mindanao to be exact, without third party facilitation, mediation and international players. “ALL-OUT WAR” Joseph Ejercito Estrada at the town hall of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on March 22, 2000 halted and suspended the conduct of peace negotiations, caused the MILF to counter-declare “all- out jihad” against the government and the withdrawal of MILF peace panel from the negotiating table. The Domestic Stage had ended with this suspension of peace talks from June 2000 to February 2001 without signing any agreements on substantive issues. Second Phase or International Stage or Diplomatic Stage (2001-2012) The Second Stage of the negotiations is marked with the involvement of international players, particularly Malaysia, as third party facilitator. The talks entered into substantive discussions outside of the cessation of hostilities and rehabilitation and development, with the entry of the parties into discussions on ancestral domain. Thirteen (13) years after the first GRP-MILF meeting, the talks are now in the midst of substantive discussions. Negotiations conducted post MOA-AD highlight several important mechanisms such as the formation of the International Contact Group (ICG). The ICG is primarily mandated to exert the necessary leverage and assistance towards sustaining the trust and confidence of both sides at the negotiating table. The mandates of the ceasefire mechanism, especially of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and that of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group or AHJAG, were likewise renewed at the event of the resumption of the GRP-MILF negotiations in December 2009. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ON ANCESTRAL DOMAIN (MOA-AD) The draft Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) was finalized and initialed on July 27, 2008, and was scheduled for signing on August 5, 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. However, it was restrained by the Supreme Court on the same day. Serious objections to the draft agreement by local officials in the affected areas and the attacks from renegade MILF elements on civilian communities in several parts of Mindanao prompted a policy decision. The non- signing triggered attacks from renegade MILF elements. By November 2008, Malaysia decided to pull out its contingent in the Malaysian-led IMT. It would only be in July the following year that backchannel efforts led to the effecting of a GPH SOMO (Suspension of Military Operations) and MILF SOMA (Suspension of Military Actions). It should be noted that the ill-fated MOA-AD was NOT envisioned or intended to be the GPH- MILF Final Peace Agreement. Even if the MOA-AD were signed, the mechanisms and modalities of governance would still have had to be spelled out in a Final Peace Agreement / Comprehensive Compact. It only discussed the last of the three (3) substantive aspects of the 2001 Tripoli Peace Agreement (the two earlier aspects being Security Mechanisms and Rehabilitation & Development, which have been earlier agreed upon). 53 FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON BANGSAMORO (FAB) The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a preliminary peace agreement signed in the Malacañang Palace in Manila, Philippines on 15 October 2012. The Framework Agreement calls for the creation of an autonomous political entity named Bangsamoro, replacing the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which was described by President Benigno Aquino III as "a failed experiment". BANGSAMORO TRANSITION COMMISSION The body tasked to draft the charter or Bangsamoro Basic Law for the future Bangsamoro government. The body was created by virtue of Executive Order 120. Eight of the members were nominated by the MILF while 7 were nominated by the government. The government has allocated an initial P100 million for the Transition Commission. SABAH DISPUTE The Sabah Claim or Dispute refers to the territorial dispute between Malaysia and the Philippines over much of the eastern part of Sabah. Sabah was known as North Borneo prior to the formation of the Malaysian federation. The Philippines, through the heritage of the Sultanate of Sulu, retains a "dormant claim" on Sabah on the basis that the territory was only leased to the British North Borneo Company in 1878 with the Sultanate's sovereignty never being relinquished. However, Malaysia considers this dispute as a "non-issue" as it interprets the 1878 agreement as that of cession and that it deems that the residents of Sabah had exercised their right to self-determination when they voted to join the Malaysian federation in 1963. On February 11, 2013, a group of approximately 100–200 individuals, some of them armed, arrived by boat in Lahad Datu, Sabah from Simunul Island, Tawi-Tawi of southern Philippines. They were sent by Jamalul Kiram III, one of the claimants to the throne of the Sultanate of Sulu. Their objective was to assert their unresolved territorial claim to North Borneo. ************************************************************************ ********************************* Public Land Law and Resettlement Hectares Allowed Non-Christian (Moros Year Homesteader Corporation & Wild Tribes) 1903 16 has. (no provision) 1,024 has. 1919 24 has. 10 has. 1,024 has. 1936 16 has. 4 has. 1,024 has. Resettlement: Case of Cotabato 1918 Census Population Towns w/ Moro Towns w/ Lumad Towns w/ Settler Range 50% up 20 5 0 25 - 49.9% 4 2 2 54 10 – 24.9% 4 7 2 9.9% & less 2 6 18 1939 census Population Towns w/ Moro Towns w/ Lumad Towns w/ Settler Range 50% up 20 9 3 25 - 49.9% 5 2 2 10 – 24.9% 6 3 10 9.9% & less 2 8 13 1970 census Population Towns w/ Bayan ng Lumad Bayan ng Settler Range Moro 50% up 10 0 38 25 - 49.9% 8 1 4 10 – 24.9% 11 5 5 9.9% & less 21 31 2 Census Total Population Muslims % Lumad % year 1918 1,175,212 378,152 32.17 116,456 9.9 1939 2,338,094 751,172 32.12 341,888 14.62 1970 6,831,120 1,629,730 23.85 437,991 6.41 Population Change in Mindanao, 1918-1970 55