VZCZCXRO6301
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2302 1900722
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 090722Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7317
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 002302 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PINS RP
 
SUBJECT:  Successful Mechanism for Maintaining 
Peace in Midsayap, Mindanao 
 
Ref:  (A) Manila 828   (B) Manila 782 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  The municipality of Midsayap has been a 
flashpoint for conflict between Muslim and Christian groups in 
Mindanao's North Cotabato province, primarily due to disputes over 
land ownership.  Land disputes recently turned violent on January 
25, when fighting broke out between a local pro-government militia 
and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), resulting 
in three deaths (ref b).  To manage this conflict, the Philippine 
government created a new Interagency Task Force to investigate and 
settle land claims, as well as a new 24/7 monitoring outpost 
composed of representatives of the Philippine military, the MILF, 
and the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT).  DCM on 
June 21 visited the Interagency Task Force and the remote monitoring 
team outpost.  They appear to be innovative, successful mechanisms 
for maintaining peace which may offer lessons for other parts of 
Mindanao. End Summary. 
Interagency Task Force 
---------------------------- 
¶2.  (SBU) Interagency Task Force Director Jim Sampulna, flanked by 
eight members of the Task Force including one from the MILF, 
presented a compelling power point presentation of the Task Force's 
composition, genesis, and progress.  Eleven national government 
agencies, such as Environment and Natural Resources (Sampulna), 
Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, plus the MILF and Armed Forces, have 
local representatives as members of the Task Force.  President 
Arroyo constituted the Task Force by Executive Order on February 28, 
in reaction to the fighting in January, with the mandate of 
investigating and settling land claims in Midsayap municipality. 
The Task Force proved so effective that the President expanded the 
IATF's jurisdiction to cover the whole province of North Cotabato on 
March 30. 
¶3.  (SBU) Sampulna described relatively quick success in resolving 
many land disputes, resulting in the return of the vast majority of 
residents displaced in recent fighting.  The Task Force reviewed 
records of individual claims, interviewed claimants, placed land 
markers and issued titles.  Some cases were as simple as explaining 
to farmers that they land they owned was not where they thought, but 
a short distance away.  Other cases are much more complex, and 
difficult ones are still in process.  Officials from various 
agencies at the table attested to a high level of cooperation within 
the Task Force and with local residents.  The atmosphere in the 
briefing seemed to confirm a collegial, problem-solving approach. 
¶4.  (SBU) Asked how the Midsayap model could be applied to other 
flashpoints in Mindanao, Task Force members said the general concept 
of cooperatively resolving of land disputes had great applicability, 
since the root of conflict in many parts of Mindanao was about land 
ownership.  But in much of Mindanao where land conflicts were 
between Muslims - instead of between Christians and Muslims - the 
institutions of the national government and Armed Forces were less 
effective and not necessarily welcomed by the local Muslim family 
clans.  The Task Force was nonetheless considering how its successes 
could be replicated elsewhere. 
Monitoring Outpost 
------------------------ 
¶5. (SBU) Located on a long muddy road from Midsayap, cutting through 
rice paddies toward the vast Liguasan Marsh, the Joint Monitoring 
Team outpost consists of a large hut with a dirt floor, 
communications equipment, a few bunks, and other basic necessities. 
Representatives of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team, 
Armed Forces, MILF, and National Police staff the post 24/7. 
Malaysian military representatives said that local farmers insist 
they staff the outpost 24/7 in order to assure their safety.  The 
outpost is placed along the road used in the past by armed 
infiltrators.  During the day, outpost staff visit local farmers, 
relationships they believe would provide advanced notice of any 
future violence brewing. 
Comment 
------------ 
 
¶6. (SBU) Practical, empowered cooperation among government agencies, 
Armed Forces, and the MILF have created mechanisms for managing and 
even resolving disputes that have made Midsayap a violent flashpoint 
between local Christians and Muslims, including members of the MILF. 
 The Government has prioritized containing Midsayap's tensions to 
preserve the generally durable ceasefire it enjoys with the MILF. 
The success of the Interagency Task Force and Monitoring Outpost 
demonstrates the commitment of the government and the MILF to 
working together, where possible, to maintain the peace. 
 
KENNEY