Marcos, MILF set 2028 deadline for final peace agreement

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Ahod "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim have pledged to complete a final exit agreement before 2028, according to Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro. The commitment represents a target date for concluding the comprehensive Bangsamoro peace process that has spanned multiple administrations.

The agreement was discussed during a meeting between Marcos and Ebrahim at Malacañang Palace on Thursday, where both parties reaffirmed their dedication to resolving the long-standing conflict through dialogue. The exit agreement is intended to mark the formal completion of peace negotiations between the government and the MILF, the country's largest Muslim rebel group.

The timeline signals the administration's intention to advance the peace process during Marcos' presidency, building on previous frameworks established under prior governments. The MILF and the national government have been engaged in peace talks for more than two decades, resulting in the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019.

The commitment to a 2028 deadline provides a concrete target for resolving remaining contentious issues and formalizing the final terms of the peace agreement. Both parties have indicated their willingness to work toward this objective to bring lasting stability to Mindanao and closure to the long conflict.