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MANILA, March 16, 2026 (SDN) — As the the 12th anniversary of the  2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) approaches, its implementation has yet again hitched a gauntlet of hurdles. Apparently!

In fact, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) headed by Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim is pausing its engagement with the Government of the Philippines (GPH) in so far as multi-facets of dealings concerning peace implementation mechanisms.

The Moro Front, which on September 23, 2024, shifted into a social movement, no longer an armed revolutionary organization, made this move after the resignation of retired Gen. Cesar Yano as chairman of the GPH Peace Implementing Panel.

“Hence, in the exercise of prudence MILF deems it appropriate to declare a temporary pause in several aspects of engagement under the peace implementation mechanisms until a fulfledged Chairman of the GPH Peace Implementing Panel is appointed,” the MILF emphasizes in its Official Statement re: Yano’s resignation.

Read: In August 2025, Yano whispered to Iqbal he “resigned irrevocably” as GPH PIP chairman

Truth to tell, the former GPH PIP chairman already told his counterpart, MILF PIP Chairman Mohagher M. Iqbal, in August 2025 that he already “resigned irrevocably” as GPH PIP chairman.

SDN Online learned that Yano whispered this to Iqbal on stage as they were fielding questions from the audience during the “Titayan 2” peace conference in Davao City.

The peace forum which revolved around the theme “Bridging to Sustain Peace in the Bangsamoro” and organized by the Friends of Peace led by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo listened to Yano, Iqbal and other speakers to find common grounds to sustain the GPH-MILF peace process which hit a major snagged after the Moro Front suspended the decommissioning of 14,000 combatants and their arms.

In its Official Statement signed by Ebrahim dated March 12, 2025, the MILF likened the implementation of the CAB to a dance that requires partners, obviously alluding to the saying that “It takes two to Tango”.

“That is why it is with much regret that the MILF Peace Implementing Panel now stands alone in this dance that was meant for two. The absence of an empowered and functioning GPH Peace Implementing Panel due to the recent resignation of its Chairman has left a gaping hole in the implementation of the peace agreement at this very crucial stage in the transition period. The importance of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel’s government counterpart cannot be countenanced.”

Below is the MILF Official Statement in full:

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OFFICIAL STATEMENT
ON CONCERNS AFFECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON THE BANGSAMORO

12 March 2026

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

“The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reiterates its steadfast commitment to the full and faithful implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and to the shared aspiration of achieving a just, durable, and meaningful peace in the Bangsamoro homeland.

“As we commemorate the 12th year of signing of the CAB, we recognize the earnest efforts of the National Government and MILF who have worked together through the years to implement the peace agreement. The CAB was able to endure for more than a decade, and is lauded internationally as one of the longest standing peace agreements in the world, in part due to the strong partnership and mutual trust between the peace panels.

“That is why it is with much regret that the MILF Peace Implementing Panel now stands alone in this dance that was meant for two. The absence of an empowered and functioning GPH Peace Implementing Panel due to the recent resignation of its Chairman has left a gaping hole in the implementation of the peace agreement at this very crucial stage in the transition period. The importance of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel’s government counterpart cannot be countenanced. Hence, in the exercise of prudence MILF deems it appropriate to declare a temporary pause in several aspects of engagement under the peace implementation mechanisms until a fullfledged Chairman of the GPH Peace Implementing Panel is appointed.

“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
peace implementation mechanisms were designed to function through officially mandated representatives of both Parties. In the absence of a formally designated Chair of the GPH Peace
Implementing Panel, the MILF finds itself unable to proceed with substantive engagements that require formal commitments and authoritative decisions. The MILF Peace Implementing Panel cannot negotiate and engage with a headless counterpart.

“The MILF likewise emphasizes the importance of maintaining clarity in mandates, roles, and structures within the peace implementation framework. We have taken note of indications that the GPH may be moving toward further mainstreaming the peace process within the broader structure of government institutions. In particular, there appears to be a more visible role being played by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, and more recently, the Officeo of the Special Assistant to the President. While institutional support from these offices can contribute positively to coordination and policy direction, the formal mechanisms established under the CAB, particularly the Peace Implementing Panels of the Parties — remain central to the conduct of official engagements and decision-making.

“For the integrity of the process and for the protection of the fragile peace and security already achieved, the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group shall continue to function and address any infraction of tranquility on the ground.

“On the side of the MILF peace mechanisms led by the MILF Peace Implementing Panel, it shall continue to engage local, national, and international friends of the peace process on matters not requiring jointness, mutuality and bilateralism with those mechanisms from the GPH.

“The gains of the peace process are the product of long years of negotiation, sacrifice, and mutual trust. Preserving these gains requires that the mechanisms agreed upon by the Parties be fully respected and properly operational.

“The MILF continues to hope for the prompt designation of a duly mandated GPH Peace Implementing Panel Chair so that the shared work of completing the implementation of the CAB may proceed with clarity, certainty, and renewed momentum. Such appointment will help restore the normal functioning of the established mechanisms and enable the Parties to address pending matters in a timely and constructive manner.”

AL-HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM (signed)

Let us hope the CAB, signed by the GPH and the MILF on March 27, 2014, survives as it continues to sail on turbulent waters for the good of the Bangsamoro region in particular and the Filipino nation in general. — EDD K. USMAN (π)

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To be updated.

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The author

EDD, a native of Sub-Saharan Africa Buluan/Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM, college at UST, is a Manila-based journalist for over 40 years (33 years with Manila Bulletin), has five Media Awards (1 with University of the Philippines (UP) 2017 Science Journalism Award), covered and traveled over 40 times abroad), has contributed to Rappler, Business Mirror, Manila Business Insights, Panorama Magazine, Agriculture Magazine, and others, former Manila-based Foreign Correspondent of Saudi Arabia newspapers Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, and The Peninsula (Qatar newspaper), with 2008 East-West Center (EWC) Journalism Seminar in the United States, 2000 Executive IT Seminar in Seoul, South Korea, with three Silver Awards in Photography, writes Muslim and Current Affairs, Enterprise, Science, Tech, Products Launch, and virtually everything under Heaven. (®)