CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Government and military officials have assured the public that the historic peace agreement between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) remains intact despite recent armed clashes in parts of the Bangsamoro region.
In an emailed advisory, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to sustaining the peace process, stressing that recent skirmishes have not derailed progress in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
“The President envisions a society that prioritizes not only peace but also the human rights of every Filipino,” Lagdameo said.
He added that the government continues to prioritize the full implementation of the peace agreement while pursuing long-term stability in the Bangsamoro region.
The reassurance from Malacañang aligns with recent military assessments that attribute the violence to localized disputes rather than a breakdown of the peace framework with the MILF.
During a recent press conference, officials of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said the peace agreement between the government and the MILF remains fully operational.
Brigadier General Vladimir Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, explained that many of the violent incidents reported in the region involve what security officials describe as “horizontal conflicts”—personal or clan-related disputes among individuals that are not directly linked to the peace agreement.
Military officials emphasized that mechanisms established under the peace process continue to function and remain vital in maintaining stability in the Bangsamoro region.
Terms to Know: Vertical vs. Horizontal Conflict
Understanding the difference between these two "tracks" of violence is key to knowing why peace officials remain optimistic even when skirmishes occur.
