Joint Normalization Committee - GPH

25/08/2026

📸 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) successfully concluded their 32nd meeting on Monday, August 24, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to continue carrying out their deliverables under the Normalization Program.

The JNC is a joint GPH-M**F peace mechanism tasked to ensure the smooth implementation of the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). It serves as a mechanism for coordinating all components of the normalization process for decommissioned M**F combatants, their families and communities.

The meeting focused on organizational matters, particularly the new composition of the JNC and its Secretariat. The GPH JNC shall be headed and co-chaired by former Presidential Assistant David B. Diciano, while the M**F JNC shall be headed and co-chaired by Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Atty. Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba.

GPH JNC members include OPAPRU Presidential Assistant PA Noel A. Baraceros and Ariel C. Hernandez, while M**F JNC members include Sheikh Bashir Tahir Abdulbayan and Mohd. Noory Bin Anshary.

The GPH JNC Secretariat shall be headed by Ma. Erlinda R. Vila, while the M**F JNC Secretariat shall be led by Aliuddin Haron.

The JNC also discussed its work plan for the remaining months of 2026, which the body committed to substantially accomplish.

In his opening remarks, Diciano said the government has already allocated funds for the next two years to ensure significant progress in the implementation of the Normalization Program.

He is hopeful that the reorganization of the JNC will enable the body to regain its momentum and build on what it has achieved over the years.

For her part, Dumama-Alba said that the work for peace is a continuous journey, emphasizing that the principles of continuity and jointness must remain at the core of the JNC’s interventions.

“The credibility of the peace process depends not only on what we implement, but on how faithfully and jointly we implement what we have agreed upon,” she stressed.

“At this point in our journey, I believe that we need stronger coordination and deeper cooperation between the GPH and the M**F. We may sometimes have different perspectives institutionally, but we share a common responsibility,” Dumama-Alba noted. # # #

14/08/2026

Our warmest congratulations to our former GPH-JNC Member LtGen Danilo Pamonag (Ret).No goodbyes, just see you around, Sir.

13/08/2026

Maligayang Kaarawan, PAPRU!

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

19/05/2026

18/05/2026

On 14 May 2026, the Joint Normalization Committee represented by its Secretariat attended the Ceremonial Launching of the SALW-M Program spearheaded by the Local Government Unit of South Upi under the funding support of OPAPRU which was successfully conducted in South Upi, Maguindanao Del Sur, marking the initial step toward the full implementation of the program at the local level. The SALW-M Program was developed by Joint Normalization Committee in relation to its deliverable under the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro to manage the proliferation of loose fi****ms. The program involves coordinated efforts among the security sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to restrict the movement of loose fi****ms, encourage voluntary firearm turn-in, and promote community-based monitoring. The Program in South Upi also provides livelihood assistance to support beneficiaries and strengthen peace and social cohesion, while integrating gender-responsive approaches consistent with the Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

During the event, a distribution of livelihood assistance was conducted for the beneficiaries of the previously turned in forty-three (43) loose fi****ms under the program. Livelihood assistance distributed included ten (10) heads of cattle/cow, twenty (20) heads of goats, two (2) laptop units, two (2) grass cutters, one (1) set of carpentry tools, five (5) weighing scales, sixty (60) sacks of rice, thirteen (13) sacks of corn seedlings, eighteen (18) sacks of fertilizers, one (1) solar panel, and one (1) 1,000-watt solar power station. Furthermore, a ceremonial presentation of an additional forty-eight (48) loose fi****ms was also conducted during the activity.

Hon. Helen Benito Padua, Municipal Mayor of South Upi, delivered the welcome remarks and described the program as a defining moment for the Municipality of South Upi, emphasizing its significance in strengthening peace, security, and community cooperation in addressing the issue of loose fi****ms.
Minister Akmad Brahim, represented by Mr. Aliuddin Haron, clarified that the temporary pause in certain peace mechanisms should not be interpreted as abandonment of the peace process nor withdrawal from the commitment to normalization and community stability. He emphasized that the protection of civilians, prevention of violence, and strengthening of trust among communities remain shared responsibilities that cannot be suspended or postponed.

In his message, PCOL Michael John Mangahis commended the people of South Upi for choosing progress over conflict and encouraged the community to continue supporting the peace process, stressing that individuals who voluntarily surrender their fi****ms are taking courageous steps toward a better future. He further assured the community of the continued support of the government, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in ensuring security and helping communities achieve peaceful and productive lives.

Meanwhile, BGen. Michael A. Santos described the surrender of fi****ms not merely as the turnover of weapons, but as a powerful symbol of transformation and renewed hope. He emphasized that genuine peace is built through trust, cooperation, and shared responsibility, stating that the activity reflects the strength of the whole-of-nation approach where peace cannot be achieved by the Armed Forces alone, but through the commitment of every sector of society.

Likewise, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec Mel Senen Sarmiento, represented by Presidential Assistant David B. Diciano, Head of the Bangsamoro Transformation Cluster, emphasized that the SALW-M Program is a vital component of the government’s collective peacebuilding efforts, aimed at addressing the presence of unregistered and loose fi****ms at the barangay and municipal levels while demonstrating the strength of synergy and collaboration among the national government, local government units, security sector, and communities in building a safer, more peaceful, and progressive Bangsamoro.

Among the distinguished guests present during the launching were Presidential Assistant David B. Diciano; BGen. Michael A. Santos, Commanding General of the 603rd Infantry Brigade; PCOL Michael John Mangahis, Provincial Director of the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office; Mr. Aliuddin Haron, Head Secretariat of the M**F Joint Normalization Committee (JNC); Director Ana Farina Pacete, Head of FOPCU; PLt. Albert F. Alarde, Chief of Police of South Upi Municipal Police Station; Ltcol Aeron Gumabao, Commanding Officer of 57th Infantry Battalion; PSSg Aratuc Maulana, JPST Team Leader; SFO3 Ronald Pojas, South Upi Municipal Fire Marshal; and PMSg Efren John A. Torricer, Team Leader of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit.

08/05/2026

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙋𝙃 𝙋𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙡 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢

LOOK: The members of the GPH Peace Implementing Panel met with the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) yesterday, 4 May 2026. They discussed the recommendations made by the TPMT in its 9th Public Report, as well as recent developments in the GPH-M**F peace process.

This is part of the TPMT’s 57th Monitoring Session in the undertaking of its mandate to monitor, review, and assess the implementation of all signed agreements between the GPH and the M**F.