Last week, on Aug. 16, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim issued a statement requiring all Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) commanders and MILF officials to get formal permission before engaging with the national government or the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
Ebrahim cited a July 19 resolution that temporarily halted the fourth and final phase of decommissioning MILF fighters and weapons. He emphasized the importance of following official channels and warned that any unauthorized involvement would be seen as a serious breach of discipline and could lead to administrative action.
This development has political and strategic implications.
One, the MILF is reasserting its authority and signaling that it will not be a passive participant in a process it views as unbalanced. This move reinforces its role as a co-equal party in the peace agreement.
Two, by suspending cooperation, the MILF is applying pressure on the government to fulfill its commitments under the Annex on Normalization, particularly the socioeconomic packages for combatants.
And three, while this does not mean a rejection of the peace process, the suspension introduces uncertainty.
It could erode trust, delay reintegration efforts, and potentially embolden factions resistant to demilitarization.
Understandably, the Office for Bangsamoro Transformation under OPAPRU has expressed disappointment over the MILF decision.
It pushed back against claims that the government has failed to deliver on its promises, highlighting that about P4 billion has been spent since 2019 to support decommissioned combatants.
This includes P100,000 cash assistance per fighter, PhilHealth coverage, and livelihood training.
Malacañang has urged both sides to keep talking. “It’s a sad development, but we remain hopeful that upcoming talks will yield positive results,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
She assured the government is ready to support MILF fighters who want to transition to a peaceful, normal life.
How to resolve the impasse?
Members of the BARMM Parliament and local leaders have called for renewed dialogue between MILF and OPAPRU.
There’s also the proposal for the Senate to conduct an inquiry to investigate the delay and assess the implementation of the normalization tracks to ensure transparency and accountability.
Another proposal is to heighten confidence-building by reaffirming mutual commitments and ensuring tangible benefits for ex-combatants to restore momentum.
How the government responds to the MILF move is a test of the resilience and sincerity of the peace process.
The MILF’s stance is not a retreat but a demand for integrity and parity. If both sides engage constructively, it could lead to a more robust and inclusive implementation of the peace agreement.
The challenge now is to find common ground and keep the Bangsamoro peace roadmap moving forward.
