Peace in Peril: Is the Philippine Government Undermining the Bangsamoro Deal?

2026-02-18 - 06:22

By Abu Fatih Ibn Moro Leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) gathered on 16 February 2026 (28 Sha’ban 1447 Hijiri) for the MILF Leaders’ Assembly help at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. The meeting brought together members of the Central Committee, front and base commanders, political officers, and representatives of sectoral affiliated organizations to present and share their recommendations in strengthening the internal structures of the MILF and continuing the pursuit for development in the Bangsamoro. Amid the various topics discussed, one message surfaced repeatedly: full and faithful implementation of the peace agreements. The call came after several lingering concerns with how the national government has moved forward with the implementation of the agreements. Discussions on transitional justice remain vague, and frustration has built following delays in completing normalization commitments. More recently, unilateral appointments and lack of urgency in the pursuit of a democratic process through the conduct of elections added to the building skepticism about the national government’s commitment to peace. These decisions done by Manila devalue what was once hailed as one of the most significant peace initiatives in Southeast Asia. MILF leaders expressed that these actions weaken confidence in a peace process to which people and institutions have invested profusive time, effort, and resources with. Furthermore, one-sided decisions taken by Manila dilute the integrity of the transition. The transition from armed struggle to regional self-governance rests on structured coordination between the national government and the MILF leadership. It is a process that rests on confidence between former adversaries. Once confidence falters, the structure weakens. Process matters in a fragile transition. When one party bypasses the agreed process, it signals that the rules can shift at will. Every action that appears to disregard prior commitments fuels suspicion that the transition can be manipulated for short-term political gain. In his speech, MILF Chairman and Amirul Mujahideen Al Haj Murad Ebrahim reiterated the importance of solidarity to ensure that their dreams for the Bangsamoro would not be put to waste. He further stressed the need to remain committed to the peace process despite the frustration felt by the members of the organization. The Leaders’ Assembly delivered a message of precarity. There were no threats or call for escalation; and yet the frustration was palpable. The MILF renewed their commitment to peace despite Manila’s actions signaling otherwise. The choice now rests with the national government. It can treat the Bangsamoro transition as a shared project grounded in mutual respect. Or it can continue actions that many on the ground read as sabotage. The direction it takes will determine whether the peace process deepens or drifts toward uncertainty once again.