Memorandum Order No. 397, issued on September 13, 1996, establishes a Special Monitoring Group tasked with ensuring the sustainability of the GRP-MNLF peace agreement in Mindanao. The group's responsibilities include identifying and categorizing MNLF officers and field commanders as combatants or non-combatants, compiling their profiles along with their armed followings, and recommending qualified MNLF members for government positions. The group is chaired by the Executive Secretary and includes key officials from the Departments of National Defense and Interior and Local Government, as well as the National Program for Unification and Development. This initiative aims to promote lasting peace in the region.
September 13, 1996
MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 397
CREATING A SPECIAL MONITORING GROUP TO OVERSEE THAT THE GRP-MNLF PEACE AGREEMENT IS SUSTAINED
In order to attain sustainable peace agreement in Mindanao, there is hereby created a Special Monitoring Group to conduct the following:
a. Identify all ranking MNLF Officers and Field Commanders involved in the Peace Process and categorize them into combatants and non-combatants;
b. Compile their individual profiles taking into account the size of their respective armed following; and
c. Tap qualified key officials and/or members of the MNLF for appointment to government posts.
The Special Monitoring Group shall be composed of the following:
| Chairman: | Executive Secretary |
| Vice-Chairman: | Presidential Adviser, Peace Process |
| Members: | Secretary, Department of National Defense |
| Secretary, Department of Interior and Local | |
| Government | |
| Executive Director, National Program for | |
| Unification and Development |
DONE in the City of Manila, this 13th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.