Bogotá, February 10, 2017 - The National Direction of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) presents the progress of activities carried out from January 28 to February 10, 2017, related to the movements of FARC-EP members from the Temporal Pre-grouping Points (PPT) to the zones and points where the laying down of arms will take place, based on the protocols governing the Bilateral Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities and the Laying down of Arms:

1. The MVM Operations Center oversaw the movement of FARC-EP members from 36 Temporary Pre-Grouping Points (PPT) to 19 zones and 7 points through 36 routes, with the involvement of 14,000 people including from the MVM, protection, police, security services and the Government’s High Commissioner for Peace, (MM & V, Protection devices, security and citizen coexistence, OACP, among other institutions involved in the peace process).

2. At the moment, two movements are underway in the department of Norte de Santander and Caquetá. Two other travel routes in the department of Caquetá towards the ZVTN.

3. These movements have made it possible to group approximately 6,200 FARC-EP men and women EP, through the accompaniment of the MVM, in coordination with the public forces. During these operations, the Police Unit for Peacebuilding (UNIPEP) has provided protection to the MVM.

4. During these 13 days of activities, MVM members accompanied the movements in around 8,500km, traveled by foot, vehicles and boats, along with other institutions involved in this operation. At the moment and since February 9, the displacement of the MVM and the structure of the FARC-EP in La Neiva, La Gabarra Municipality, department of Norte de Santander, was interrupted by local community members. The UN Mission in Colombia sent a high level delegation to assess th situation. The National Government is also looking into this.

5. The tripartite Mechanism reiterates its readiness to receive information from the civilian population and civil society organizations directly, which contributes to the work to monitor and verify the bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.