The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has once again postponed the final phase of disarming its remaining fighters, stalling a crucial step in the Philippine government’s landmark 2014 peace accord. The delay has reignited tensions, with both sides accusing each other of undermining the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

The Moro people’s struggle for autonomy dates back decades, rooted in resistance to colonial rule and later to perceived marginalization under the Philippine state. Earlier autonomy efforts culminated in the 1989 formation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which many critics, including the MILF, saw as ineffective, prompting renewed calls for genuine self-governance.

Founded in the late 1970s as a breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the MILF fought for greater autonomy for the Muslim population of Mindanao. Decades of conflict gave way to peace talks, culminating in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro  in 2014.

That deal paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), officially established in 2019 after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law through a plebiscite. The BARMM was envisioned as a genuinely autonomous region with enhanced political and fiscal powers to address long-standing issues of governance, development, and inclusion in Mindanao.

The region is currently governed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), an interim body largely composed of former MILF leaders. While not equivalent to a surrender, one of the cornerstones of the peace process is the phased decommissioning of MILF fighters, and their integration into civilian life or state security forces—a process now facing renewed delays.

According to a resolution issued by the MILF Central Committee adopted on July 19 and made public on July 26[1], the group insists that further progress in the decommissioning process hinges on “substantial compliance” by the government in other aspects of the normalization process, especially the promised socio-economic packages for already decommissioned fighters. These tracks include the disbanding of private armed groups, the redeployment of military units, transitional justice, amnesty measures, and socio-economic assistance. While over 26,000 MILF fighters have laid down their arms in the past years, the MILF Central Committee emphasized that “not a single one has successfully transitioned to productive civilian life” citing a lack of follow-through on socio-economic aid. The resolution warns that further decommissioning without meaningful socio-economic reforms would betray the spirit of the agreement. “To be true to the letter and spirit of the Annex on Normalization, there should be some showing of substantial compliance of the socio-economic interventions for combatants… before other combatants are made to undergo the initial steps towards decommissioning,” it reads.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) expressed concern, urging the group to remain committed to the goals of the 2014 peace agreement. Presidential Assistant David Diciano, who heads the Office for Bangsamoro Transformation, described the deferral as a serious setback, saying it “undermines a core commitment” of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)[2]. The 14,000 combatants and 2,450 weapons still awaiting decommissioning represent the final phase of the process. OPAPRU appealed to the MILF to raise concerns through official channels, emphasizing that cooperation remains essential, especially as the BARMM prepares for its first-ever parliamentary elections this October. “We invite our partners in the MILF leadership to reaffirm our shared vision: a BARMM free of armed groups and illegal firearms, where the rule of law prevails and peace reigns,” the agency said in a statement.

Diciano pushed back against the MILF Central Committee’s claim and pointed to the ?100,000 cash assistance given to each decommissioned fighter, along with over ?4 billion in programs rolled out since 2019, including healthcare, skills training, and education support. In 2024 alone, 2,500 former combatants or their dependents were enrolled in educational programs, with funding already allocated for an additional 3,500 beneficiaries in 2026.

Diciano also expressed frustration that ?788 million earmarked for the final decommissioning phase had to be returned to the Treasury due to repeated postponements. “The decision of a few should not deny the aspirations of many,” he said, warning that delays deprive willing combatants of a peaceful, productive future. He also emphasized that normalization has progressed alongside political transformation, with BARMM receiving over ?420 billion in block grants and ?5 billion annually for normalization since 2020. Diciano noted that although the framework for socioeconomic packages was only finalized in early 2024, targeted support tailored to individual needs has been ongoing since 2015, based on assessments by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In response to the growing impasse, Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro announced on August 1, that the government intends to initiate dialogue with the MILF leadership[3]. She added that the government is prepared to release a comprehensive report detailing its reintegration efforts to promote transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, in its recent memorandum, the MILF maintained that the decommissioning process must proceed gradually and only after the government demonstrates substantial compliance with broader normalization commitments.

The deferral of the MILF’s final decommissioning phase reveals more than just delays in peace implementation, it exposes a deeper undercurrent of political tension and shifting allegiances in the Bangsamoro region. As the BARMM transitions into its first-ever parliamentary elections, political maneuvering has taken center stage, with appointments and power shifts indicating the Marcos administration's determination to maintain a firm grip on the region. The appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as interim chief minister, replacing long-time MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, symbolizes a recalibration of political loyalties in the region[4]. More than a matter of governance, it reflects the administration’s strategy to consolidate control over BARMM and neutralize the influence of opposition-aligned factions. In a region historically shaped by political dynasties and entrenched patronage networks, the MILF now finds itself navigating a power structure it once fought against—governing alongside those who had long mastered the politics of survival.

For the Marcos administration, BARMM is more than just an autonomous region, it’s a crucial electoral battleground and a potential kingmaker in national politics. With rising political stakes ahead of the 2025 midterm elections and beyond, maintaining dominance in the region has become both a strategic necessity and a political safeguard.

Oihan Drille is a graduate student specializing in international security and regional affairs. He is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree: one in International Relations and Security at Sciences Po Bordeaux (France), and another in East Asian Studies at National Taiwan University (Taiwan). His academic work centers on contemporary security dynamics and policymaking in East and Southeast Asia.

REFERENCES

Castro, C. (2025, August 2). Press briefing on government dialogue with MILF leadership [Press release]. Presidential Communications Office. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhgXMlIN6As

Office of the Chief Minister. (2025, August 2). New BTA members swear in; CM Macacua stresses duty to Bangsamoro’s aspirations. Bangsamoro Government. https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/new-bta-members-swear-in-cm-macacua-stresses-duty-to-bangsamoros-aspirations/

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). (2025, July). Statement by Presidential Assistant David Diciano on MILF decommissioning deferral. [Press release]. Philippine Government. https://peace.gov.ph/2025/07/statement-of-presidential-assistant-david-b-diciano-of-the-office-for-bangsamoro-transformation-on-milf-decision-to-defer-the-decommissioning-of-their-combatants/

Moro Islamic Liberation Front Central Committee. (2025, July 19). Resolution from MILF-CC regular meeting at Camp Daraganon, Maguindanao del Norte. Office of the Chairman, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Central Committee. https://www.facebook.com/theMILFchairman/posts/1301606278197709?ref=embed_post

[1] Moro Islamic Liberation Front Central Committee. (2025, July 19). Resolution from MILF-CC regular meeting at Camp Daraganon, Maguindanao del Norte. Office of the Chairman, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Central Committee. https://www.facebook.com/theMILFchairman/posts/1301606278197709?ref=embed_post

[2] Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). (2025, July). Statement by Presidential Assistant David Diciano on MILF decommissioning deferral. [Press release]. Philippine Government. https://peace.gov.ph/2025/07/statement-of-presidential-assistant-david-b-diciano-of-the-office-for-bangsamoro-transformation-on-milf-decision-to-defer-the-decommissioning-of-their-combatants/

[3] Castro, C. (2025, August 2). Press briefing on government dialogue with MILF leadership [Press release]. Presidential Communications Office. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhgXMlIN6As

[4] Office of the Chief Minister. (2025, August 2). New BTA members swear in; CM Macacua stresses duty to Bangsamoro’s aspirations. Bangsamoro Government. https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/new-bta-members-swear-in-cm-macacua-stresses-duty-to-bangsamoros-aspirations/