KL hosts fresh Philippines-MILF peace talks

KUALA LUMPUR: Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiators are due to meet in Kuala Lumpur today to advance a peace process that began three decades ago.

The one-day Special Meeting of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF Peace Implementation Panels will focus on outstanding commitments under the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

The Philippine government panel will be led by Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, while the MILF panel will be chaired by Mohagher Iqbal.

Malaysia's facilitator is General (Rtd) Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, who has held the position since 2023.

The last meeting of the two implementing panels was held in Davao City in August.

The peace talks began in 1997, while the CAB, signed in 2014, provides the framework for the peace process and contains commitments that the parties are still working to implement.

The conflict in the southern Philippines has killed more than 120,000 people and displaced about two million since the late 1960s.

Among the issues under discussion is the normalisation process, including the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons, transformation of former MILF camps, disbandment of private armed groups, and transitional justice and reconciliation.

As part of the peace process, the two sides are also working towards an Exit Agreement, which is intended to formally end the GPH-MILF peace process once all commitments under the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) have been fulfilled.

The recent Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election held on Sept 14, 2026 was an important achievement in the political track, while continued attention is given to the implementation of all commitments under the CAB.

The Kuala Lumpur meeting would focus on the remaining CAB provisions, including efforts to develop a roadmap for outstanding commitments.

The meeting will give the two sides an opportunity to discuss the next steps in implementing the agreement, with Malaysia continuing its role as facilitator.