COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim has formally expressed his gratitude to outgoing Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Carlito Galvez Jr., while welcoming the appointment of his successor. The transition comes at a critical juncture for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as it prepares for its first regular parliamentary elections in 2026.
In a statement released Wednesday, Chief Minister Ebrahim credited Galvez for his “sincere and steadfast” commitment to the Bangsamoro peace process, particularly during the challenging transition years following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Under Galvez’s leadership, several milestones in the normalization process were achieved:
- Decommissioning Milestones: Galvez oversaw the successful decommissioning of thousands of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants, a key component of the Annex on Normalization.
- Amnesty and Integration: The outgoing peace adviser was a vocal advocate for the granting of amnesty to former rebels, facilitating their transition into productive civilian life.
- Intergovernmental Relations: He played a pivotal role in operationalizing the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), which bridged the gap between the national government and the Bangsamoro government on complex policy issues.
Chief Minister Ebrahim extended a warm welcome to the incoming peace adviser, emphasizing the need for continuity in the implementation of the remaining signed agreements.
- Continuity of Programs: The BARMM leadership expressed hope that the new OPAPRU chief would maintain the momentum of the normalization track, specifically in providing socio-economic packages for decommissioned combatants.
- Peaceful 2026 Elections: A primary focus for the new adviser will be ensuring a safe and credible election environment in the region for the historic 2026 Bangsamoro polls.
- Conflict Transformation: The transition is expected to prioritize conflict transformation in areas still experiencing localized rido (clan feuds) and threats from extremist groups.
While the transition was described as smooth, the new peace adviser faces several immediate challenges:
- The “Exit Agreement”: Finalizing the terms of the Exit Agreement that will formally conclude the peace process between the government and the MILF.
- Security Concerns: Addressing the persistent security threats in Maguindanao and Basilan to ensure that development projects can proceed without interruption.
- Normalization Funding: Securing sustained funding for the transformation of MILF camps into peaceful, productive communities.
The BARMM chief reaffirmed the regional government’s commitment to working closely with the new peace adviser. “Our goal remains unchanged: a just and lasting peace that reflects the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. We look forward to a partnership built on mutual respect and shared responsibility,” Ebrahim stated.