Bangsamoro groups press Marcos, MILF to finalize peace accord

MANILA — A coalition of 10 civil society organizations from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has issued a manifesto urging President Ferdinand Marcos and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim to accelerate the peace process before the 50th anniversary of the Tripoli Agreement.

The groups have called on Marcos to finalize remaining commitments, including the completion of decommissioning efforts and the signing of outstanding agreements that form part of the broader Bangsamoro peace framework. The manifesto underscores the organizations' concern that delays in implementing agreed provisions threaten the fragile gains achieved through decades of negotiations.

The Tripoli Agreement, signed in 1976, marked an initial framework for addressing the conflict in Mindanao. Subsequent agreements, including the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), have outlined pathways toward lasting peace and autonomous governance in the region.

The push by BARMM-based organizations reflects growing impatience among local stakeholders for tangible progress. Advocates argue that completing the peace process is essential for advancing economic development, security, and reconciliation efforts across the predominantly Muslim region.

Official responses from the President's office and MILF leadership have not yet been issued regarding the manifesto's demands.