Govt, MILF reach key agreements
THE government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace implementing panels have reached critical agreements on key peace process components, including normalization, the rollout of amnesty applications, and security redeployment. Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said the agreements were reached following their 36th meeting held on Jan. 31, which coincided with the 6th Founding Anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Galvez said the meeting focused on advancing the peace initiatives under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and ensuring the sustainability of peace in the region. He said the panels, co-chaired by Cesar Yano from the government side and Mohagher Iqbal from the MILF side, committed to the full implementation of all aspects of the CAB. Key agreements included the adoption of a new monitoring and evaluation system for the normalization process. This system will be overseen by the Joint Normalization Committee and is set to be fully transferred by December 2025. Additionally, the panels approved the framework for the Joint Peace and Security Teams' (JPST) transition, which includes the phased decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons. Discussions also centered on the continued reduction and management of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the region, with a joint technical working group being established to formulate a detailed framework. Both sides also agreed to further develop the process for the rollout of amnesty applications for MILF members, as well as the provision of safe conduct passes to facilitate safe passage for those involved in the peace process. Another key point of discussion was the redeployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the panels agreeing on a process to assess security conditions in the region. The revitalization of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the ongoing decommissioning of MILF weapons were also discussed as part of the broader efforts to strengthen the peace process.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace implementing panels have reached critical agreements on key peace process components, including normalization, the rollout of amnesty applications, and security redeployment.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said the agreements were reached following their 36th meeting held on Jan. 31, which coincided with the 6th Founding Anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Galvez said the meeting focused on advancing the peace initiatives under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and ensuring the sustainability of peace in the region.
He said the panels, co-chaired by Cesar Yano from the government side and Mohagher Iqbal from the MILF side, committed to the full implementation of all aspects of the CAB.
Key agreements included the adoption of a new monitoring and evaluation system for the normalization process.
This system will be overseen by the Joint Normalization Committee and is set to be fully transferred by December 2025.
Additionally, the panels approved the framework for the Joint Peace and Security Teams' (JPST) transition, which includes the phased decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons.
Discussions also centered on the continued reduction and management of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the region, with a joint technical working group being established to formulate a detailed framework.
Both sides also agreed to further develop the process for the rollout of amnesty applications for MILF members, as well as the provision of safe conduct passes to facilitate safe passage for those involved in the peace process.
Another key point of discussion was the redeployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the panels agreeing on a process to assess security conditions in the region.
The revitalization of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the ongoing decommissioning of MILF weapons were also discussed as part of the broader efforts to strengthen the peace process.
