Cotabato City / Sulu — December 29, 2025 — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has voiced its strong disappointment and alarm over a newly passed provincial resolution that prohibits all MILF-related activities in Sulu — a directive that has already led to the blocking of a scheduled assembly of its political committee in Patikul.
In a statement released by its Office of Information on Sunday, the MILF described Sulu’s Resolution No. 83-2025 as “exclusionary,” asserting that it threatens the essence of the Bangsamoro peace process and disregards the fundamental right to peaceful assembly.
The resolution, approved unanimously by the 16th Sangguniang Panlalawigan and signed by Governor Abdusakur Tan II, cites Sulu’s official withdrawal from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and declares that the province “does not recognize any political, administrative, or security authority of the MILF or its armed components within its territory.”
Blocked Assembly Sparks Tension
Military forces on Monday prevented the conduct of an MILF Political Committee gathering in Patikul — the first enforcement of the resolution. Soldiers reportedly deployed armored vehicles and cordoned off the venue before participants arrived, citing lack of security clearance and legal basis for the activity.
Local officials argued that allowing MILF-organized events in Sulu could “risk misunderstanding, misencounter, or destabilization,” running contrary to provincial peace and security efforts.
MILF: ‘Peace knows no borders’
While acknowledging the legal consequence of Sulu’s non-inclusion in BARMM following the Supreme Court ruling years earlier, the MILF stressed that Bangsamoro identity and historical solidarity should not be restricted by territorial lines.
“Political boundaries should never be used as a sword to sever the cultural, historical, and spiritual arteries that bind our people together,” the organization said.
The group insisted that the resolution alienates a community with a shared history of sacrifice and brotherhood, adding that Sulu “should be opening doors to foster goodwill, not erecting walls of exclusion.”
Rights Concerns Raised
The MILF condemned the directive as a “blatant disregard” for the right to assembly — a principle safeguarded under the peace agreements signed with the national government.
“The peace process was built on the promise that voices would no longer be silenced by force or decree,” the statement stressed. “We should be building bridges of understanding, not walls of exclusion.”
Call for Dialogue and Reconsideration
The revolutionary group appealed to Sulu authorities to revisit the resolution and pursue more inclusive governance that respects long-standing cultural bonds.
“Leadership is most powerful when it is inclusive and most courageous when it allows for dialogue,” the MILF said, reaffirming its commitment to peace in all Moro communities — “whether they stand inside or outside a political line.”
Mounting Jurisdictional Strain
The situation risks intensifying the long-standing governance divide between Sulu and the BARMM government, particularly involving the roles and recognized authorities of the MILF and its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).
Security forces remain on alert while both sides brace for potential political and diplomatic friction in the coming days.