04/09/2026
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ โ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌโ โ ๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ
PASIG CITY --- The implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is back on track and continues to gain momentum, as the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) Peace Implementing Panels demonstrate a stronger sense of โjointness.โ
This was the assurance given by GPH Panel Chair, Sec. MEL SENEN SARMIENTO, as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gears up for its historic first parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026.
โ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งโ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ
According to Sarmiento, who is also the concurrent Presidential Peace Adviser, there has been a โsubstantive resumption of engagements across the GPH-M**F peace infrastructure,โ with joint mechanisms under both the Political and Normalization Tracks moving forward with their implementation deliverables.
โSince my appointment as GPH Panel Chair in July, we have actively reached out to our partners in the M**F to demonstrate the national governmentโs utmost sincerity and commitment to accelerate the implementation of the CABโs political and normalization Tracks,โ Sarmiento said on Friday, September 3.
โBased on our recent meeting with M**F Chair Ahod Balawag Ebrahim in Camp Darapanan, we are pleased to note that the M**F leadership has shown the same level of sincerity and commitment, which is a testament of their determination to fulfill their deliverables under the CAB,โ he added.
During the 38th Peace Implementing Panels Meeting on August 4, the parties issued a Joint Statement and signed a โDeclaration of Continuity of the Partnership between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,โ signaling the resumption of joint engagements for all Normalization activities.
The Joint Statement read: โAs the political track of the CAB culminates with the establishment of the regular Bangsamoro Government following the first regular Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), the Parties acknowledge the necessity of advancing the implementation of the Normalization Track, in the spirit of continuity and sustainability of the dividends of peace.โ
The Declaration of Continuity, on the other hand, stated: โThe Parties reaffirm that these remaining obligations shall continue to be pursued jointly in a parallel and commensurate manner, and in accordance with the CAB and its established implementation arrangements.โ
๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฌ
Sarmiento noted that the August 4 Panels Meeting has become โa springboardโ for GPH-M**F peace mechanisms to jointly carry out activities to advance the CABโs Normalization and Political Tracks.
โSince our Panels Meeting last month, we have seen an uptick in Normalization-related activities. These are clear indications that the GPH and M**F are determined to sustain and build on the hard-won gains of peace in the Bangsamoro,โ he stressed.
Under the security component of the Normalization Track, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) signed on August 31 the Guidelines for Mutual Understanding for Ceasefire-related Functions during the 14 September 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections.
In his remarks at the event, Sarmiento underscored the CCCH and AHJAGโs mandate, which is to โprotect the peace, prevent armed confrontation, address tensions before they escalate, and ensure that our ceasefire mechanisms remain responsive and effective.
As part of continuing efforts to ensure peace and security in the BARMM, the GPH and M**Fโs Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC), as well as the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Inter-agency on the International Monitoring Team (IMT) met last month.
Under the Normalization Trackโs socioeconomic development component, the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC) held its 22nd Regular meeting to discuss ways on how to fast track its โcatch-upโ plan.
Under the Confidence-building Measures component, the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) conducted a Baseline Assessment and Social and Environmental Scanning for the construction of a proposed two-classroom Madrasah in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte.
The Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) component is also gaining ground, with the recent conduct of a capacity-building activity on mental health and psychosocial support and TJ for Moro and Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) women in the BARMM and adjacent communities; a joint vetting session on the enhanced National Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Bangsamoro (NTJRCB) Bill and the 15th meeting of the
of the GPH-M**F TWG-TJR; and a consultation with BARMM ministries on the draft Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Bangsamoro TJR Act of 2025.
Meanwhile, under the CABโs Political Track, Sarmiento bared that an Information Operations Coordinating Center (IOCC) is currently being set up to monitor developments during the upcoming BARMM polls, which is a historic milestone for the Bangsamoro peace process.
โThe IOCC will be crucial in keeping abreast of the latest developments on the ground before, during and after the elections. This is in line with our goal to ensure the safe, orderly and credible conduct of the polls,โ he said.
โTaken all together, these activities being carried out under the Normalization and Political Tracks prove one thing, and that is, the desire of the GPH and M**F to realize their collective vision of achieving long-lasting peace and sustainable development for the Bangsamoro people,โ Sarmiento said.
โUnder President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.โs guidance, we are confident that the BARMM will realize its full potential and serve as a shining example of what can be achieved through continuing dialogue, mutual understanding and most of all, respect for each other,โ he concluded. # # #
