Philippines

Background

Armed non-State actors (NSAs) operating in the Philippines include the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP/NPA/NDFP), and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Smaller groups that broke away from the CPP/NPA/NDFP are also active. With the notable exception of the ASG, most of the groups have been engaged in peace processes with the government, although these processes are at different stages and have been subject to occasional setbacks and clashes with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or other groups, still occur.

Anti-personnel (AP) mines and other victim-activated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been sporadically used by NSAs. There have also been unconfirmed allegations of NSAs using children in hostilities.

Activities

Geneva Call has been engaging NSAs in the Philippines in an AP mine ban since its launch in 2000. Three NSAs have signed the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines:

• the MILF, 2000 (reaffirmed by signing a revised version of the Deed of Commitment in 2002).
• the Revolutionary Workers’ Party of the Philippines/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB), 2000 (reaffirmed by signing a revised version of the Deed of Commitment  in 2002)
• the Revolutionary Workers Party of Mindanao (RPM-M), 2003.

[See List of Signatories]

Geneva Call continues to engage other NSAs in an AP mine ban with a focus on the MNLF and the CPP/NPA/NDFP, while supporting and monitoring the AP mine ban commitments of the signatory groups. As part of its efforts to support the implementation of the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines by the MILF, Geneva Call co-organised three trainings of MILF members on human rights and international humanitarian law, including programmes targeting women and youth. These training workshops were carried out in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and local civil society actors, including the Institute for Bangsamoro Studies, the Southeast Asia Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (SEACSUCS), and the Center for Muslim Youth Studies (CMYSI). Geneva Call also helped to facilitate the development of a joint government/MILF unexploded ordnance clearance programme that will be undertaken by the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) and local civil society actors. Geneva Call also supported a mine risk education programme conducted by the MINSED Foundation, which targeted conflict affected communities in Mindanao.

In 2009, Geneva Call led a Verification Mission to investigate allegations of landmine use by the MILF, a signatory group to the Deed of Commitment. The Mission Team, led by Geneva Call and comprised of a legal and technical expert was facilitated by both the MILF and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). Both ceasefire committees and Nonviolent Peace Force accompanied the mission on its enquiries. The results of the enquiries are currently being discussed with the MILF.

In 2008, Geneva Call conducted a preliminary exploratory mission to the Philippines with regards to its Children and NSAs project. It remains in contact with the MILF and the CPP/NPA/NDFP with regards to these issues. A similar exploratory mission in relation to gender issues is scheduled for early 2010.

For further information:

Geneva Call, 2010, The Geneva Centre for Security Policy, in partnership with Geneva Call, organised a public discussion entitled “Fact-finding during armed conflict: the 2009 verification mission to the Philippines to investigate allegations of anti-personnel landmine use by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front". Geneva 26 October 2010

Geneva Call, 2010, Communique. Geneva Call launches a report of its Verification Mission to the Philippines to investigate allegations of landmine use. Geneva, 7 July 2010.

Geneva Call, 2010, Fact-Finding during Armed Conflict: Report of the 2009 Verification Mission to the Philippines to Investigate Allegations of Anti-Personnel Landmine use by
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Verification Mission, June 2010.

Geneva Call, 2010, Geneva Call Verification Mission in the Philippines finds evidence of AP mine use, but MILF responsibility not established, Press Release, 26 March 2010.

Geneva Call, 2009, Verification Mission to investigate allegations of landmine use by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Philippines conducted. Communiqué, 30 November 2009.

Geneva Call, 2006, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Workshop for Bangsamoro Women, Report of the Geneva Call workshop held in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, the Philippines, 13-17 August 2006.

Geneva Call, 2005, Training of Trainers Workshop, Report of the Geneva Call workshop held in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, the Philippines, 12-17 November 2005.

MILF and Geneva Call, 2002, Implementing Guidelines for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) pursuant to its “Deed of Commitment under Geneva Call for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action”, Guidelines for the implementation of the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines, 20 September.

IPS, 2002, Rebels agree to permit landmine monitoring, 15 May.

Tribune de Genève, 2002, Philippines/Mines anti-personnel: des rebelles signent l'Appel de Genève, 2 May.

Agence France Presse, 2002, Main Philippine rebel group agrees to abandon use of landmines, 2 May.

Geneva Call, 2002, Report of the Geneva Call mission to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Central Mindanao, Report of the mission to Central Mindanao and Manila, Philippines, 7-8 April.

MILF, 2002, Resolution condemning kidnappings, 26 February.

Think Centre, 2001, Anti-personnel mine policy and practice in Southeast Asia, 16 June.