President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is dedicated to completing all government deliverables under signed peace agreements, prioritizing the formal closure of the Cordillera peace process and the upcoming first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) announced Tuesday, July 28.
OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento highlighted that the Chief Executive’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) underscored a decisive shift toward the full implementation of existing peace accords.
“The President has made it clear in his SONA this year that he is committed, more than ever, to fully comply with the deliverables of the government under all signed peace accords with various rebel groups,” Sarmiento said.
During his address on July 27, President Marcos revealed that the government is preparing to formally wrap up its peace process with the Cordillera Bodong Administration and Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA).
“A long but worthwhile 15 years since its signing, we are now ready to formalize a historic completion of the government’s peace pact with the CBA-CPLA,” Marcos stated in his speech.
The Cordillera peace track originated with the 1986 Mt. Data Peace Accord (Sipat), which brought an end to armed hostilities in the region.
This was succeeded by a 2011 memorandum of agreement detailing decommissioning and development efforts, and recently by a Substantial Compliance Agreement (SCA) paving the way for the closure.
“The SCA brings the 1986 Mt. Data Peace Process closer to its formal conclusion after nearly four decades. This reflects the President’s policy that peace agreements must lead to concrete results and not just remain as unfinished commitments,” Sarmiento noted.
Sarmiento reaffirmed that the administration will honor its obligations to every group that chose peace over conflict.
He noted ongoing efforts to fulfill deliverables under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the peace track with KAPATIRAN (formerly RPM-P/RPA/ABB) through development and reintegration initiatives.
“By pursuing substantial compliance and formal closure, the administration strengthens public trust, upholds the credibility of the government, and provides a solid foundation for sustainable peace and inclusive development,” Sarmiento emphasized.
“Under the administration of President Marcos, peace is measured not by the signing of agreements alone, but by faithfully implementing commitments, achieving substantial compliance, and bringing every peace process to a credible and lasting conclusion,” he added.