Manila: An "open and sincere" dialogue is the best strategy to address the current impasse between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), according to Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, Galvez emphasized that despite existing differences, the Bangsamoro peace process continues to be "robust and dynamic." He stated that an open dialogue between both sides is crucial to moving forward and reiterated the government's full commitment to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). This agreement, signed in 2014 between the government and the MILF, aims to resolve the longstanding armed conflict in Mindanao and establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The MILF Central Committee temporarily suspended the implementation of the fourth and final decommissioning of MILF fighters on July 19. They demand "substantial compliance" by the Philippine government in other aspects of the normalization process, including the provision of a socio-economic package agreed upon by the government and MILF peace implementing panels.

Galvez noted that they perceive MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim's MILF Memorandum Order No. 3-which restricts its commanders and officials from participating in any national government-organized "decommissioning or normalization activities"-as an internal matter of the organization.

Galvez added that the government is open to discussing with the MILF leadership which programs can be jointly implemented without violating any prohibitions related to the October 13 BARMM parliamentary elections. The election ban affects activities such as the decommissioning of combatants and firearms, as the gun ban prevents the government from conducting such operations.