MANILA, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) announced a temporary pause to key aspects of its engagement with the national government until the appointment of a “full-fledged chairman” of the Government Peace Implementing Panel.

“The MILF Peace Implementing Panel cannot negotiate and engage with a headless counterpart,” said MILF Chairman Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim in a statement dated March 12.

The absence of a counterpart from the national government’s side “has left a gaping hole” in the implementation of the peace agreement.

Retired general Cesar Yano recently submitted his resignation as chair of the panel. These developments come as the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro continues to be delayed due to legal and administrative challenges. Congress has passed bills rescheduling the polls for September 2026.

The former Bangsamoro interim chief minister said, “We maintain this position as a matter of fundamental procedural requirement within the peace architecture established by the Parties that demands jointness, bilateral actions, and mutuality.”

The MILF said the peace implementing panels should remain central in the decision-making, noting that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, and the the Office of the Special Assistant to the President were playing “a more visible role.” (READ: BARMM peace process at risk as rifts deepen, watchdogs warn)

Despite a temporary halt in engagement under peace implementation mechanisms, the MILF said it has remained involved with “local, national, and international friends of the peace process” regarding issues that do not require bilateralism.

The Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro is reaching its 12th year after it was signed by both parties on March 27, 2014.

– Rappler.com