At the headquarters of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 3 January 1987, the Philippine Government panel chaired by Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and the Moro National Liberation Front panel chaired by Nur Misuari sign a joint statement. The two panels agree to continue discussion of the proposal for the grant of full autonomy to Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan subject to democratic processes. The Secretary-General of the Organization, S. S. Pirzada, signs as witness.

In the same statement the MNLF panel proposes that President Corazon C. Aquino issue an executive order suspending, in the plebiscite scheduled for 2 February 1987, the pertinent provisions of the draft constitution on the grant of autonomy to Muslim Mindanao, so that the MNLF may undertake democratic consultations with the people of Mindanao and its islands, and that the Philippine Government panel present this proposal to President Aquino for her approval.

A summary of the points taken up that day, signed by Misuari and Pimentel together with Joseph B. Banghulot and Agapito A. Aquino, records that the substantive part of the talks will be held in Manila, Zamboanga or any other place in the Philippines mutually acceptable to both parties. A joint commission of three members from each side is to be created to discuss and draft the mechanics and details of the proposal to grant full autonomy and to do everything possible to complete its work within ninety days from 9 February 1987. Provincial committees are to be created to monitor and implement the observance of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities.

The MNLF proposes some form of reorganization involving certain political and governmental institutions, by an executive order to be issued immediately, to enhance a conducive atmosphere for further talks. The panels agree to propose the immediate formulation and implementation of a comprehensive economic and social development program in priority areas mutually agreed upon, and to jointly pursue the dissemination of accurate and comprehensive information regarding the Bangsamoro issue as part of democratic processes. The Philippine panel agrees to exercise its best efforts to provide a secure and peaceful atmosphere for MNLF consultations and to propose that the authorities of the Republic provide security to the three MNLF representatives on the Joint Commission and to their staff.

A second joint statement, also signed in Jeddah, restates the creation of the Joint Commission, with an initial meeting in Manila on 9 February 1987 and an endeavour to complete its work within ninety days, the provincial committees for the cessation of hostilities, and the proposed economic and social development program. The panels thank King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for allowing the meeting to be held in Jeddah, President Aquino for sending the Philippine panel, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, through Pirzada, for its good offices.

This instrument is not the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, nor the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the MNLF, nor the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Image: Jeddah Corniche; Joseph Azrak, 18 July 2021; CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Jeddah Accord. Treaty text: Joint statements of the Philippine Government and MNLF panels, Jeddah, 3 January 1987, UN Peacemaker.