GPH, MILF panels agree on roadmap body, renew ceasefire mechanisms in KL meeting

COTABATO CITY — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) have resumed their joint work on implementing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), agreeing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday to form a technical working group that will map out the implementation of the agreement's remaining provisions following the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

The MILF and GPH peace implementing panels approved the terms of reference of the technical working group during a special meeting, according to a joint statement signed by MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal and his GPH counterpart, Mel Senen Sarmiento.

The panels said the meeting built on the parties' renewed commitment to implement the CAB in light of developments in its political track, marked by the holding of the Sept. 14 regional elections.

The meeting came six months after the MILF leadership halted its engagement with the government on CAB implementation.

Ceasefire mechanisms

The panels extended the mandate of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) until Sept. 25, 2027, and that of the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) until Sept. 25, 2028.

AHJAG serves as the mechanism for coordinated law enforcement operations in MILF communities, prioritizing coordination to avoid unnecessary confrontation with MILF combatants awaiting decommissioning. The CPC works to protect civilians from hostilities as communities pursue post-conflict development.

On security, the panels agreed in principle to a proposed GPH-MILF Framework for the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management (SALW-M) Program and directed the Technical Working Group on the Reduction and Management of SALW to finalize it, taking into account, among other matters, the disbandment of private armed groups and the decommissioning of combatants.

The framework will be submitted to the Joint Normalization Committee for endorsement before going back to the panels for approval.

The panels also kept on their agenda the proposed revitalization of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), which oversees the implementation of the parties' ceasefire agreement, and the recommendations on putting weapons beyond use.

Transitional justice, socioeconomic programs

The panels adopted Resolution No. 3, series of 2026, of the Technical Working Group on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TWG-TJR), which proposes enhancements to bills pending in the 20th Congress seeking to create the National Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Bangsamoro.

The resolution will be refined through a writeshop that the TWG-TJR was directed to conduct immediately, with members of the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum and other stakeholders to be invited.

The panels also signed an addendum to their decision points on the socioeconomic development program for decommissioned MILF combatants and the six previously acknowledged MILF camps. The addendum adopts an integrated, beneficiary-centered approach to speed up the delivery of agreed interventions for decommissioned combatants.

The parties thanked MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and the MILF Central Committee; President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.; the Government of Malaysia under Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Third Party Facilitator and/or Special Adviser Gen. Tan Sri Dato' Seri Panglima Ts. Hj. Zulkifli bin Hj. Zainal Abidin (Ret.); Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President; the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity; and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority under Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.

They also acknowledged the International Contact Group, composed of the governments of Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, together with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, the Community of Sant'Egidio, Conciliation Resources and Muhammadiyah, as well as the Third Party Monitoring Team.