Explainer: The Mindanao peace process and the road to Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR: Three decades after peace talks began, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are still working to complete key parts of a 2014 agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict in Mindanao.

The two sides are due to meet in Kuala Lumpur today to discuss a roadmap for implementing the remaining commitments under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

The meeting will focus in part on the normalisation programme for former MILF combatants, one of the key elements of the peace settlement.

The conflict between the Philippine government and Moro separatist groups killed more than 120,000 people and displaced millions.

The CAB provided for a new autonomous region in Mindanao and the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was established in 2019 as part of the settlement.

Why Kuala Lumpur?

Malaysia has served as the third-party facilitator of the peace process since 2001.

Kuala Lumpur has hosted rounds of negotiations between the Philippine government and MILF, as well as meetings on implementation of the peace agreement. The last Peace Implementing Panel meeting hosted by Malaysia was in 2019.

Malaysia's role has included keeping communication open between the two sides and supporting implementation of the peace agreement.

The facilitation is also intended to support completion of the normalisation programme and provide continuity as political leadership changes in Manila and Bangsamoro.

Malaysia has said it will maintain a neutral and non-partisan role, while the Philippine government and MILF remain responsible for completing the outstanding provisions of the agreement.

Key dates

January 1997 — Initial contacts

The government of President Fidel Ramos opened contacts with the MILF, a breakaway group from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which had signed a peace agreement with the government in September 1996.

July 1997 — Ceasefire

The Philippine government and MILF signed a ceasefire agreement, paving the way for formal talks aimed at ending the insurgency in the southern Philippines.

July 1998 — Estrada backs talks

President Joseph Estrada, after taking office, said his administration would pursue peace talks with the MILF.

March 2001 — Talks resume

The Philippine government and MILF resumed formal peace talks in Kuala Lumpur under Malaysian facilitation.

October 2012 — Framework Agreement

The two sides reached the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, setting out the basis for a final peace deal and a new autonomous political entity.

March 2014 — Comprehensive Agreement

The Philippine government and MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Manila on March 27, 2014.

The agreement set out the political and normalisation tracks of the settlement, including the creation of the Bangsamoro region and the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons.

2019 — BARMM established

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was established following the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The peace process shifted from negotiations to implementation, including the normalisation programme and decommissioning of former MILF combatants.

August 2026 — Normalisation resumes

The Philippine government and MILF implementing panels met in Davao City and agreed to resume normalisation activities after a pause.

They also agreed to hold a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Sept. 14, 2026 — First BARMM parliamentary election

The first parliamentary election in the BARMM was held, marking another step in the region's transition to its new political system.

Sept. 25, 2026 — Kuala Lumpur meeting

The Philippine government and MILF implementing panels are due to meet in Kuala Lumpur to discuss a roadmap for completing implementation of the CAB.

The meeting comes as the two sides seek to advance outstanding parts of the peace agreement, including the normalisation process.