COTABATO CITY — Civil society and peace advocates across Mindanao and the Philippines have issued an urgent call for the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to immediately resolve lingering disputes in the implementation of the Normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
In a joint statement signed by 23 organizations, the broad coalition of peace advocates warned that delays and unresolved issues could undermine the hard-earned gains of the peace process and weaken the trust of communities that have long endured armed conflict.
“We urgently call for the immediate convening of the GPH-MILF Peace Implementing Panels to resolve these issues in good faith—guided by the spirit of partnership, accountability, and mutual commitment,” the statement read.
The Normalization process, one of the cornerstones of the CAB, covers the decommissioning of MILF combatants, disbandment of private armed groups, security sector transformation, and the reintegration of former rebels into productive civilian life. The groups stressed that any breakdown in its implementation threatens the holistic transformation of communities within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“Peace cannot wait. Peace must be realized—NOW!” the coalition declared, calling on civil society nationwide to rally behind the faithful implementation of all peace agreements.
The organizations also reminded stakeholders that peacebuilding is not the sole responsibility of the government and the MILF. “Civil society, communities, and all stakeholders must be actively engaged to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in the peace process,” they said.
Among the signatories were the Samal Island Muslim Communities Development Center, Learned Kagan Muslim Foundation, PeaceBuilders Community, Coffee for Peace Philippines, UNYPHIL-Women, and several community-based organizations across Mindanao.
The call comes as the peace process enters a critical stage, with stakeholders emphasizing that genuine security and development in BARMM hinge on the success of the Normalization track.