GPH, MILF renew push for full CAB implementation at Kuala Lumpur meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) renewed their commitment to move forward with the remaining obligations under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) during a Special Meeting of their Peace Implementing Panels on 25 September 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The meeting came less than two weeks after the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election and marked another important engagement between the Parties as the peace process enters a new phase following the progress achieved in the political track.

In his opening statement, MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher M. Iqbal stressed that the Kuala Lumpur meeting was not intended to revisit agreements already reached, but to continue and complete their implementation.

“Alhamdulillah, we are back at this table. We come to Kuala Lumpur with renewed confidence. We do not meet to reopen what we settled. We meet to resume and complete the work we signed up for,” Iqbal said.

He emphasized that the CAB remains a binding commitment of both Parties to the Bangsamoro people and that the work of the peace process must continue beyond the establishment of the regular Bangsamoro Parliament.

“The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is not unfinished business that we revisit when convenient. It is a solemn commitment that both Parties made to the Bangsamoro people and to each other, and the MILF is eager to see it through,” he added.

Concrete steps on remaining CAB commitments

During the meeting, the GPH and MILF Panels reached several agreements aimed at advancing the remaining components of CAB implementation.
The Panels approved the Terms of Reference of the Technical Working Group on Roadmap Development for the Implementation of the CAB, paving the way for the formulation of an updated roadmap to guide the Parties in completing their remaining commitments.

They also renewed the mandate of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) until 25 September 2027 and the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) until 25 September 2028.

On security and normalization, the Panels agreed in principle to the proposed GPH-MILF Framework for the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management Program and directed the Technical Working Group on the Reduction and Management of Small Arms and Light Weapons to finalize the framework.
The framework will take into consideration, among others, the disbandment of private armed groups and the decommissioning of MILF combatants. Once finalized, it will be submitted to the Joint Normalization Committee for endorsement before being brought back to the Panels for approval.
The proposed revitalization of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and recommendations on putting weapons beyond use (PWBU) will remain on the agenda for continuing discussion between the Parties.

For Iqbal, advancing normalization remains essential to fulfilling the promise of the peace agreement.

“The work before us is clear. Decommissioning must move forward in due measure to its conclusion. The camps must be transformed into productive and peaceful communities. Private armed groups must be dismantled. Transitional justice must give our people a reckoning with the past so they can build a future,” he said.
“These are not MILF demands. They are our common obligations under the CAB.”
Transitional justice and socioeconomic interventions

The Panels likewise adopted and approved Resolution No. 3, series of 2026, of the Technical Working Group on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation concerning proposed enhancements to bills pending before the 20th Congress for the creation of a National Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Bangsamoro.

The TWG was directed to immediately conduct a writeshop to further refine the proposals and to extend invitations to the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum and other relevant stakeholders.

Another significant outcome was the signing of an addendum to the Panels’ decision points on the Socioeconomic Development Program for Decommissioned Combatants and the Six Previously Acknowledged MILF Camps.

Under the agreement, the Parties adopted an integrated and beneficiary-centered mode of delivery aimed at accelerating the implementation of agreed socioeconomic interventions for decommissioned combatants.

Iqbal underscored the importance of translating agreements into tangible results for those who have already taken part in the normalization process.
“The combatants who decommissioned their arms, and the families who waited with them, have been patient. They deserve to see the promise of normalization fulfilled in their lifetime,” he said.
Election does not mark end of peace process
Iqbal also acknowledged the National Government’s conduct of the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election on 14 September 2026 as part of its commitment under the CAB.
He nevertheless raised concerns over reported irregularities and incidents of violence during the election and called for the investigation and prosecution of those responsible, regardless of affiliation.
Despite these challenges, Iqbal said the establishment of the regular Bangsamoro Parliament represents an important milestone, but should not be regarded as the conclusion of the peace process.
“The peace process did not end with the election of Parliament members,” he stressed.
He said the political and peace processes remain interconnected as the Bangsamoro moves toward the formation of the government following the parliamentary elections.
Malaysia's continuing role

The MILF Panel also expressed its gratitude to the Government and people of Malaysia for their longstanding role in facilitating the GPH-MILF peace process.
Iqbal recalled that Malaysia has accompanied the Parties since 2001, through periods of progress as well as difficult moments in the negotiations.
“Peace processes are not sustained by speeches. They are sustained by people who keep showing up. Malaysia keeps showing up,” he said.

In their Joint Statement, the GPH and MILF Panels expressed appreciation to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Third Party Facilitator and/or Special Adviser General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Panglima Ts. Hj. Zulkifli bin Hj. Zainal Abidin (R), as well as to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., MILF Chair Al Haj Murad B. Ebrahim and the MILF Central Committee, and other institutions and partners supporting the implementation of the peace agreement.
The Parties also acknowledged the International Contact Group, Third Party Monitoring Team, the various GPH-MILF peace mechanisms, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, National Government agencies, and peace advocates for their continuing contributions to the process.

The Joint Statement was signed by GPH Peace Implementing Panel Chairperson Mel Senen S. Sarmiento and MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chairperson Mohagher M. Iqbal, in the presence of Malaysian Third Party Facilitator and/or Special Adviser Tan Sri Zulkifli.

The Parties jointly reaffirmed their commitment to work toward the meaningful and inclusive fulfillment of the peace agreement for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people.

For the MILF, Iqbal said the task ahead is to persevere until the commitments entered into by both Parties are completed.
“The road ahead is still long. But we have walked more perilous roads together, and we have never walked them alone,” he said.
“Let us continue to persevere and work together, faithfully and comprehensively. Insha Allah, in the end, we will triumph and finish what we started.”