AGREEMENT ON A STAND-DOWN FOR THE RESUMPTION OF THE FORMAL PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (GRP) AND THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES (NDFP) The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), particularly the Executive Department, including its Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Philippine National Police (PNP), and its armed auxiliary forces, and The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), including the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People's Army (NPA), and its people's militia, hereinafter the “Parties,” HEREBY AGREE to a Stand-Down of their respective armed units and personnel in consideration of the forthcoming resumption of the formal peace talks, in arderto provide through goodwill and confidence-building measures, the positive seroepnera conducive to moving forward and completing the peace negotiations and the implementation of agreements entered into or may be entered into. The Stand-Down shall be dectared and announced simultaneously by both Parties ane (1) week before the agreed date of resumption of the formal talks. Stand-Down shall be understaod to mean temporary cessation of hostilities in which the contending armed units and personnel of the Parties stay where they are (“as is f where is”), take an active defense mode, and shall not commit any offensive action ‘or operation against combatants and civilians. ‘The Stand-Down shail be subject to the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement ‘on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), especially the protection of the civilian population and civilians together with their property. Any movement of the respective armed troops and personnel of any Party which may be considered as a provocative andior hostile act must be avoided, Each Party shall designate one of its Panel members to coordinate on matters ij related to the implementation of the Stand-Down. They shall werk on measures to prevent the escalation of hostiities that may arise fram certain incidents. No Aq retaliatory act shall be taken by either Party. Page 1 of (eo‘The Stand-Down shall take effect immediately upon its declaration and shall remain effective until replaced by a Coordinated Unilateral Ceasefire (CUC). Either Party may terminate this Stand-Down Agreement and such termination shall take effect seventy-two (72) hours after receipt of notice by the other Party The Parties shall disseminate this Stand-Down Agreement to their respective forces. ‘This Stand-Down Agreement shall be published in major national daily newspapers mutually agreed upon by the Parties Signed in Utrecht, The Netherlands, 08 June 2018, / fi wiki | f nota GRP Panel Chairperson NDFP Panel Chairperson / 4 . 7 HERNAN) A. BRAGANZA JULIETA S. DE LIMA Mem " Member ANGELA A, LIBRADO-TRINIDAD ‘ASTERIO B. PALIMA Member Member WITNESSES: =- \ fen x, YON % WNCISCO J. LAI RACHEL F. PASTORES Chaimperson NDFP Legal Consultant GRP Ceasefire Committee RG. Jl MARIA SISON NDFP Chief Political Consultant BLAS AMB. IDUN TVEDT Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Royal Norwegian Government sweiannPROPOSED TIMETABLE OF PREPARATIONS FOR THE RESUMPTION OF GRP-NDFP FORMAL TALKS 08 June 2018 DATE Discussions on : 1. "MOA" (Preparations for Resumption) 07-09 2. Stand Down Agreement Thursday to Saturday 3, CUC (Coordinated Unilateral Ceasefire) 4. IPA (Interim Peace Agreement) 5. AP (Amnesty Proclamation) 4, Issuance of court orders for the five (5) NOFP political oa-11 ‘consultants (Baylosis, Echanis, Ladiad, Silva, B, Tiamzon) Friday to Manday 2. Application for Bi (Bureau of Immigration} clearances 3. Visa application of 5 NDFP CASER resource persons 1-12 ‘Visa application of 6 NDFP consuitants (Baylosis, Echanis, Monday to Tuesday —_| Jazmines, Ladlad, Silva, 8, Tiamzen) iiSeay Confirmation of the RWCs and CFCs meetings 13-16 Release of Visa of 6 NDFP consultants and CASER resource Wednesday to Friday | persons, 14-26 Legal clearance and travel arrangements for 11 other NDFP Thursday to Tuesday —_| consultants 18-16 Arrival in Schiphol, The Netharlands of 6 NDFP consultants and Friday to Saturday | CASER resource persons 16-17 ‘Saturday to Sunday Unilateral meetings of NDFP RWC-SER = 17-18 Furnishing to NOFP of unsigned copy of Amnesty Proclamation Sunday to Monday (for NDFP comment) may 4, Blateral meetings of RVICs-SER (18-19) | Monday to Wednoeday |? Meetings of ad hoc Cease Committees (CFCs) on CUC iiciteeday Furnishing to NDFP of signed copy of Amnesty Proclamation 20 Wednpeday Panels acton on ARRD ang NIED, CUC and IPA ve sity Confirmation of the holding of the formal talks 4 5 minkey Stand down announcement and effectivity Bae Arrival of NDFP delegation in Oslo, Norwar Tuesday to Wednesday eleg Nona: 28-30 4, Resumption of GRP-NDFP Formal Talks Thursday to Saturday 2. Signing of IPA Page 1 of 1 weGRP-NDFP INTERIM PEACE AGREEMENT ‘The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), particularly the Executive Department, including its agencies, and The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) for itself and in behalf of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA), hereinafter the "Parties", DETERMINED to resolve the almost ity (50) years of armed conflict by addressing its root causes through peace negotiations and comprehensive agreements an social, economic, political and constitutional reforms, COGNIZANT that the protracted peace negotiations between the Parties for the last thirty (30) years may now successfully culminate in substantive agreements with the demonstrated commitment of the present leadership of the GRP and NDFP to attain a just and lasting peace; and COMMITTED to accelerate the peace negotiatians and conclude a Final Peace Agreement by forging the component agreements contained in The Hague Joint Declaration, Hereby AGREE: ARTICLE | To this Interim Peace Agreement, the components and agreements of which are appended herete and made integral parts hereof as follows: A. The Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD) and National Industrialization and Economic Development (NIED) sections of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) that are signed by the Negotiating Panels of the Parties, \ We Page Lola.B. Amnesty Proclamation for all NDFP-listed Political Prisoners that is signed and certified by the President as urgent to abtain the concurrence of Congress in order to effect their expeditious release; and C. Coordinated Unilateral Geasefires (GUC) which shall be effective upon signing by the Negotiating Paneis. The CUC shall evolve into a Bilateral Ceasefire (BCF) ARTICLE It The Parties reaffirm all previously signed Agreements includina the Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL} and recognize them as binding and effective, ARTICLE Ill Section 1. ‘The Parties shall continue to work in order to complete the remaining sections of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), then proceed lo the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR) and finally to the Comprehensive Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (CAEHDF). The RWCs, RWGs, Bilateral Teams, Geasefire and other Committees previously constituted by the Parties shall continue to hold working meetings, which may be simultaneous, during and between formal talks to acoomplish their assigned tasks and ultimately the tentative comprehensive agreements for submission to the Panels. Section 2. The Parties shall be guided by the Road Map to Peace and General ‘Schedule that are appended hereto as integral parts hereof to accelerate the peace negotiations. Section 3, The GRP shall release political prisoners in expeditious and acceptable modes based on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with the CARHRIHL pending the effectivity of the Amnesty Proclamation ARTICLE IV Section 1, The Parties shall implement the Joint Agreement in Support of Sociseconomic Projects of Private Development Organizations and Institutes signed on March 16, 1998. 7 fe, Ko Page 2 of ASection 2. A Joint Consultative and Advisory Committee to advice, recommend and facilitate the implementation of this Interim Peace Agreement shall be formed accordingly. ARTICLE V Section 1. A Bilateral Preparatory Committee shall be formed by the Parties to lay the ground for the visit of Prof. Jose Maria Sison to the Philippines. Section 2. Both Parties shall cooperate in facilitating the visit of Prof. Jose Maria Sison to the Philippines to confer with GRP President Rodiiga Roa Duterte and discuss the peace process and other matters, celebrate the conclusian of an Interim Peace Agreement (IPA), as well as hold a Peace Conference at the earliest possible time, subject to the necessary political, legal, security and technical requirements. ARTICLE Vi Section 1. The Parties affirm that fermal peace talks shall continue in order to resolve the armed conflict for the attainment of a just and lasting peace. Section 2. The Parties continue to be quided by the mutually acceptable principles of national sovereignty, democracy and social justice and that no precondition shall be made to negate the inherent character and purpose of the peace negotiations Section 3. Effective measures shail be undertaken forthwith to do away with all obstacles and hindrances inconsistent with the agreements and to the continuation of the peace negotiations. 72%, At Page 30f4Signed in Oslo, Norway, 2018. SILVESTRE H. BELLO Ill FIDEL V. AGCAOILI Yan GRP Panel Chairperson NOFP Panel Chairperson, HERNANI A. BRAGA\ JULIETA 5. DE LIMA Member, GRP Panel Member, NDFP Panel RENE V. SARMIENTO. CONI K. LEDESMA Member, GRP Panel Member, NDFP Panel ANGELA A. LIBRADO-TRINIDAD ASTERIO B. PALIMA Member, GRP Panel Member, NDFP Panel ANTONIO B. ARELLANO BENITO E. TIAMZON Member, GRP Panel Member, NDFP Panel WITNESSES: ATTY. EFREN C. MONCUPA ATTY.EDREU.OLALIA “7 Consultant, GRP Panel fra. Legal Consultant, NDFP Panel SEC. JESUS G. DUREZA PROF. JOSE MARIA SISON Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process NDFP Chief Political Consultant AMB, IDUN TVEDT ‘Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Royal Norwegian Goverment Page 4 of 4GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES TOWARDS AN INTERIM PEACE AGREEMENT AND THE RESUMPTION OF GRP-NDFP FORMAL TALKS. Back channel meetings betvieen representatives of the Negotiating Panels of the Goverment of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) were held from March 20-24, April 9-14, May 2-9 and June 5-9, 2016 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, through the facilitation of the Royal Norwegian Government as Third Party Facilitator for the talks. The Parties discussed and drew up the following guidelines and procedures that shall lead to the signing of the GRP-NDFP Interim Peace Agreement and the resumption of the fifth (5) round of formal talks: |. Resumption of the formal talks in the peace negotiations Both Parties expressed their desire to resume the GRP-NDFP formal peace negotiations to be held in the fourth week of June 2018 in Oslo, Norway consistent with their commitment to address the root causes of the armed conflict and forge comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration and reaffirm their signed jaint agreements. The propesed list of the respective delegations of both Parties to the resumption of the GRP-NDFP formal peace talks is attached hereto as Annex ‘A’. In line with the foregoing, the Parties agree to work for the removal of obstacles and hindrances to the preparation for the resumption of peace negotiations. ll. Participation of the Panels and their con: in con: i meetings and in the formal talks The Parties shall ensure the participation of the members of their respective Panels; reciprocal working committees; reciprocal working groups; ad-hoc committees; and other committees or working groups that are necessary for the consultations and preparatory meetings leading to the resumption of formal talks. The GRP, with the cooperation of the defense counsels as may be necessary, shall work for the recall or suspension of warrants of arrest, reinstate or grant bail, and withdraw ail motions inconsistent thereto, and provide the necessary guarantees to facilitate the participation of NDFP consultants in the formal negotiations, as well as in the preparations therefor. (See Annex *B": List of Consultants) lll, Meetings of the GRP and NDFP Reciprocal Working Committees on Social and Economic Reforms (RVVCs-SER) ‘The GRP and the NDFP RWCs-SER shall hold meetings on June 18-19, 2018 to finalize the common draft submitted by the Bilateral Teams and resolve the Temaining contentious issues on Part II|-A Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD) and Part Ill-B National Industrialization and Economie Development (NIED) of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (GASER) Vv oT Page 1 of 3‘The full draft of Parts III-A and II-B of the CASER shall be submitted by the GRP and the NDFP RWCs-SER to their respective Negotiating Panels before the resumption of the fifth (5%) round of formal talks, IV. Stand-Down Agreement Both Parties shall declare a nationwide cessation of hostilities through a Stand-Down of their respective armed units and personnel one (1) week before the resumption of the formal talks in the peace negotiations. The Stand-Down shall remain effective until replaced by a Coordinated Unilateral Ceasefire (CUC) V. Meetings of the GRP and NDFP Ceasefire Ad Hoc Committees The GRP and NDFP Ceasefire Ad Hec Committees shall finalize the Coordinated Unilateral Ceasefire Agreement and its Guidelines and Mechanisms for review and signature by the Negotiating Panels. Vi. The Amnesty Proclamation and releases of political prisoners ‘The GRP commits to submit to the Office of the President the NDFP proposed amnesty proclamation that shall be certified as urgent to Congress. The GRP shall provide the NDFP a copy of the Amnesty Prodamation as provided for in the attached Timetable ot Preparations for the Resumption of GRP-NOFP Formal Talks (Annex °C. The GRP reiterates its commitment to release political prisoners in expeditious and acceptable modes based on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with the CARHRIHL pending the effectivity of the said Amnesty Proclamation. Vil. Interim Peace Agreement ‘The Parties shall continue to hold meetings to finalize the Interim Peace Agreement containing the three component documents, i.e,, he ARRD and NIED sections of th CASER, Amnesty Proclamation, and the Coardinated Unilaieral Ceasefire in accordance with a Roadmap and General Work Schedule to be agreed upon, Vil Joint Communigations Both Panels shall cooperate in enhancing the climate for the negotiations through regular joint communiques and public statements on matiers pertaining to the formal negotiations to prevent escalating tensions and pressures on both Parbes. f er Page ofIX. Visit of Professor Jose Maria Sison, A Bilateral Preparatory Committee may be formed by the Parties to lay the ground for the visit of Prof. Jose Maria Sison to the Philippines. Both Parties shall cooperate in facilitating the visit of Prof. Jose Maria Sison to the Philippines to confer with GRP President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and discuss the peace process and other matters, celebrate the conclusicn ofan Interim Peace Agreement (IPA}, as well as hold a Peace Conference at the earliest possible time, subject to the necessary political, legal, security and technical requirements. ‘Signed in Utrecht, The Netherlands, 09 June 2018. For the GRP Negotiating Panel: For the NDFP Negotiating Pane: HERNAN A. BRAGANZA ete WITNESS: ‘AmB, IDUN TVEDT Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Royal Norwegian Government Page 30f3,INDE Dine. mueiisi MALACANAN PALACE MANILA. 3 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES: ere PROCLAMATION NO. ___ 9 10GRANTING AMNESTY TO ALL FILIPINOS WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, IIIMPRISONED, CHARGED ANDIOR CONVICTED FOR ACTS OR OMISSIONS 12PUNISHABLE UNDER THE REVISED PENAL CODE OR SPECIAL LAWS IN 13CONNECTION WITH THE REBELLION WAGED BY THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE 14PHILIPPINES (CPP) AND THE NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY (NPA), OR FOR OTHER ISGRIMES IN PURSUIT OF ONE’S POLITICAL BELIEFS 16 17WHEREAS, it is recognized that certain Filipinos have been arrested, imprisoned, charged l8and/or convicted for acts or omissions punishable under the Revised Penal Code or 19special laws in connection with the rebellion waged by the Communist Party of the 20Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Amy (NPA), or for offenses that will otherwise be 2icommon crimes but were committed or alleged to be committed in furtherance of one's 22political beliefs; 2B 24WHEREAS, Section 19, Article Vil of the Constitution expressly vests the power to grant 25amnesty upon the President; 26 2TWHEREAS, in order to promote an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, 28comprehensive and enduring peace and as a necessary component and Integral part of 29the GRP-NDFP Interim Peace Agreement (IPA), there is a need to declare amnesty in 30favor of the said Filipinos; 31 32NOW, THEREFORE, |, RODRIGO R. DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of 33the powers vested in me by Section 19, Article Vil ef the Philippine Constitution, do hereby 34DECLARE and PROCLAIM: 35 36SECTION 1, Grant of Amnesty, — Amnesty shall be granted to all Filipinos covered under 37this Proclamation 38 30SECTION 2. Coverage. - Amnesty shall cover acts or omissions punishable under the 40Revised Penal Code or special laws in connection with the rebellion waged by the 41Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Aimy (NPA), or for @2offenses that will otherwise be common crimes but were committed or alleged to be 43committed in furtherance of one’s political beliefs; 44 45Provided, that the crimes for which amnesty shall be granted must have been committed 46on or before the date of effectivity of this Proclamation; and 47 48Provided further, that amnesty shall not cover crimes against chastity and rape. ak 2 Ite Peet Page 1 of WHYWU aN a ue a pa er 1 2SECTION 3. Amnesty Grantees. — Any Filipino who is in the list provided by the 3National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) at the time of the effectivity of this 4Proclamation as a political prisoner, including those on temporary liberty, and who has ‘Sbeen imprisoned, charged and/or convicted for acts or omissions punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws in connection with the rebellion waged by the ‘7Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA), or for other 8offenses that will otherwise be common crimes but were committed or alleged to be Scommitted in furtherance of one’s political beliefs shall be granted general, unconditional 10and omnibus amnesty. uw 128EGTION 4. Application. — Applicants may apply for amnesty under this Proclamation 13with the Department of Justice (0QJ) which is hereby tasked with the function and duty of 14simplifying, receiving and processing such applications and determining whether the \Sapplicants are covered, in cooperation with the duly authorized representatives of the 16National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) 17 18The aforesaid applications must be under oath and must be kept confidential and not 19disclosed without the express written consent of the applicant. Any information contained 20in such applications cannot be used against the applicant for whatever purpose in any 2Iproceeding. 22 23SECTION 5. Period of Application. — Applications shall be filed with the DOJ after the ‘24publication of this Proclamation in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. The DOJ ‘25shall forthwith act on the same with dispatch within a period of seven (7) days from receipt. 26The applicants shall be processed for a period not longer than one week on the humane, 27fair and just presumption that they have been processed repeatedly upon their previous 28arrest, datention and subjection to trial 29 30The final decision or determination of the DOJ that is negative to any applicant shall be Slappealable to the Office of the President who shall dispose of the appeal within a period of 32seven (7) days from filing of the appeal. 3 34SECTION 6, Effects. — 35 36{a) Amnesty under this proclamation shall extinguish any criminal liability for acts or 37omissions punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws in connection with 38the rebellion waged by the Communist Parly of the Philippines (CPP) and the New 39People's Army (NPA), oF for other offenses that will otherwise be common crimes but were 40committed or alleged to be committed in furtherance of one’s political beliefs: and 4) 42{b) The grant of amnesty shall also effect the restoration of civil and political rights 43suspended or lost adversely by virtue of any executive, administrative or criminal action or 44proceedings against the grantee. 43 46SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Proclamation shall immediately be certified as urgent and 47shall take effect upon the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of Congress. Such \ Dy Page 2 of 3wee WUE A AUMUND | 2 MAY 2018; 617 am Isoncurrence shall cause ta be done within three (3) months therefrom in order to effect the 2expeditious release of the amnesty grantees. 3 4IN WITNESS WHEREOF, | have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the SRepublic of the Philippines to be affixed, 6 TDONE in the City of Manila, day of, 8Thousand and Eighteen, in the year of our Lord, Two 9 10(Sgd.) RODRIGO R. DUTERTE rh 2By the President: 13 1a(Sgd.) is 16Executive Secretary oq Page 3 of 3