MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — A significant milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process was achieved on August 3, 2026, as the municipalities of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, and Guindulungan were formally declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), recognizing them as insurgency-free and signaling a new chapter of peace, stability, and development in Maguindanao del Sur.
The declaration, considered a landmark achievement for the province, reflects years of sustained security operations, peacebuilding initiatives, and close collaboration among the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units, national government agencies, and local communities.
The ceremonial signing of the Declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) was held at Stefani Hall, Mango Grove, Barangay Adaon, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, bringing together government officials, military and police leaders, representatives of the peace process, religious leaders, and development partners in a unified commitment to preserve the gains of peace.
Leading the ceremony were Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, Assistant Division Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Commander of the 601st Infantry (UNIFIER) Brigade; Governor Datu Ali Midtimbang of Maguindanao del Sur; PCOL Michael John C. Mangahis, Provincial Director of the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office; and Lt. Col. William G. Sabado, Commanding Officer of the 1st Mechanized Battalion. They were joined by the local chief executives of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, and Guindulungan.
Also present were representatives from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA-BARMM), the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC-MILF), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), members of Parliament, officials from the AFP and PNP, religious leaders, local officials, and various peace stakeholders.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic signing of separate SIPS declarations for each municipality, jointly undertaken by provincial officials, the AFP, PNP, OPAPRU, the Joint Normalization Committee, and the concerned local government units. The signing formally affirmed that the three municipalities have met the conditions necessary to sustain stable internal peace through effective governance, community participation, and strengthened security mechanisms.
The declaration recognizes the success of continuing joint security operations, enhanced law enforcement efforts, strong grassroots support, and collaborative peace initiatives that have significantly reduced insurgency-related threats and created a secure environment for residents.
In his keynote message, Governor Datu Ali Midtimbang expressed profound gratitude to the 601st Infantry Brigade under Brig. Gen. Catu, the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office led by PCOL Mangahis, the 1st Mechanized Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Sabado, and all partner agencies for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding peace throughout the province.
He stressed that achieving Stable Internal Peace and Security is not merely a victory but also a greater responsibility.
“The declaration is not the end of our journey but the beginning of a much greater responsibility,” the governor emphasized, noting that preserving peace requires sustained cooperation among government institutions, security forces, local leaders, and every member of the community.
Governor Midtimbang further urged all sectors to remain united in protecting the peace that has been achieved while accelerating development initiatives that would improve the lives of residents across the province.
Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu echoed the governor’s message, emphasizing that maintaining peace is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the military and police.
He said lasting peace can only be achieved through strong partnerships among government agencies, local governments, civil society, and ordinary citizens.
According to Catu, the SIPS declaration should serve as an inspiration for communities to continue working together toward a safer and more progressive Maguindanao del Sur.
Meanwhile, PCOL Michael John C. Mangahis highlighted that the declaration stands as proof that cooperation, vigilance, and the relentless pursuit of public safety produce lasting stability.
He said the achievement demonstrates how synchronized efforts between law enforcement, the military, local governments, and the public can create safer communities while laying the foundation for long-term socioeconomic development across the province.
Messages of support from Members of Parliament, national peace advocates, and representatives from OPAPRU and the Joint Normalization Committee likewise underscored the importance of unity and collective responsibility in sustaining the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.
Adding his support, Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, reaffirmed the Philippine Army’s commitment to sustaining peace and security initiatives throughout the Bangsamoro region.
He encouraged other municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur and across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to work toward achieving their own Stable Internal Peace and Security declarations, expressing hope that the entire province and eventually the whole region would become insurgency-free through continued collaboration among government agencies, security forces, and local communities.
With the SIPS declaration now in effect, the municipalities of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, and Guindulungan are expected to shift their focus toward expanding socioeconomic development, strengthening local governance, promoting investment, and advancing normalization efforts under the Bangsamoro peace framework.
The declaration marks not only the culmination of years of coordinated peace and security efforts but also the beginning of a new era where communities can pursue sustainable growth in an environment of stability, security, and lasting peace.