9 September 2005 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo today announced that “in consonance with the Government’s strong commitment to the cause of peace and in support of Indonesia’s ongoing peace process, the Philippines is sending a 16-man contingent to Aceh Sumatra, Indonesia to participate in the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM).”

Secretary Romulo said the Government of Indonesia invited the Philippines, along with other ASEAN nations, to take part in monitoring the implementation of the recently concluded Peace Agreement between the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).  “The Philippines supports the Indonesian peace process in Aceh and will contribute in every possible way in assisting our ASEAN neighbor achieve a lasting peace and harmony among the members of  community in order to pave the way for prosperity in the area,” the Secretary added.

The four other contributing countries in the AMM are Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.    The Secretary explained that the mandate of the mission includes the monitoring of:

     1. the compliance of the end of hostilities between the Government of Indonesia and GAM;
     2. the demobilization of GAM, decommissioning and collection of its armaments as well as to ensure the immediate destruction of the armaments;
     3. the relocation of non-organic military forces and non-organic police troops;
     4. the reintegration of active GAM members;
     5. the human rights situation, contribute to the process of reconciliation and provide assistance in this field; and
     6. the process of legislation change.

The monitors are likewise tasked to:

     7. rule on disputed amnesty cases;
     8. investigate and rule on complaints and alleged violation of the MOU; and
     9. establish and maintain liaison and good cooperation with the Government of Indonesia and GAM.

The Philippine contingent, led by Atty. Ricardo V. Paras III, Chief State Counsel of the Department of Justice (DOJ), is set to leave tomorrow afternoon, 10 September 2005 via Singapore Airlines.

The other members of the contingent include Atty. Adonis P. Sulit from the DOJ, Consul Angelica C. Escalona (alternate Mr. Abdullah Rasuman) and Atty. Levy D. Ang from the DFA, Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo and Mr. Nestor B. Ramos from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and six from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), namely, Colonel Steven P. Sabando, Major Corleto C. Vinluan, Jr., Captain Rodolfo B. Agtina, Captain Reynaldo L. Bajet, Captain Teodoro C. Epres, and Lieutenant Senior Grade Joselito C. Verano.

This contingent shall be joining the Philippine representatives to the Initial Monitoring Presence (IMP), the precursor of AMM, who have already been deployed to Aceh last 13 August 2005.   The Philippine IMP members are all from the AFP, namely, Major Haroun-Al-Rashid I. Jaji, Major Dennis R. Pacis, Lieutenant Senior Grade Norsal Diampuan Dimaporo and Captain Leonardo A. Soratos.   This 16-man team of Philippine monitors is expected to participate in the AMM for an initial period of three months.END