Rappler's latest stories on MILF
Duterte names ex-Muslim affairs official as new Bangsamoro gov't member
Ali Sangki is appointed to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, making him the 79th member out of the required 80

Over 8,000 MILF fighters decommissioned in 2019 – OPAPP
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Assistant Secretary Wilven Mayor says a total of 12,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters will be decommissioned by 'early 2020'

150 more MILF soldiers join Bangsamoro security team
The former rebel fighters join members of the police and military in a security force tasked with protecting certain areas of the Bangsamoro region until an elected government is established in 2022

7 MILF members killed in clash with ISIS-linked terrorists
(UPDATED) Tension remains high in Shariff Saydona town in Maguindanao, with the MILF expected to send reinforcements after the clash

[OPINION] Combatants, decommissioning, and lasting peace
We are now at a critical stage in the Mindanao peace process leading up to the fulfillment of the commitments made by both the government and the MILF

Duterte tells disarmed MILF soldiers: Do not be disheartened
Having been at war for much of their lives, the former Moro rebels face insecurity and uncertainty as they return to civilian life

'We are not surrendering': Tears, prayers as MILF begins large-scale disarming of forces
'If it is in our power to make peace happen and Allah grants it to us, we do not want our families to go through what we’ve suffered,' says an MILF combatant

'There is another life coming,’ Murad tells MILF fighters before disarming
Over a thousand MILF combatants will disarm in a ceremony to be led by President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, September 7

Mindanao closer to peace as MILF decommissions 12,000 fighters – gov't
President Rodrigo Duterte will lead a ceremony in Maguindanao on Saturday, September 7, as former rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front begin their transition to civilian life

AFP to train 255 ex-MILF fighters to help secure Bangsamoro region
Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces will work alongside soldiers and cops in the Joint Peace and Security Team, says Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr

FALSE: MILF surrendered arms to gov't 'for the first time in 2019'
The decommissioning process first starts in 2015 as part of the agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government

12,000 former MILF troops to be decommissioned in 2019
Decommissioning of the troops comes after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Law and is part of the Philippine government's agreement with the MILF

‘It’s like a hero’s burial’: Thousands attend MILF leader’s funeral
Ghazali Jaafar, the key MILF leader who brought the peace process to the finish line, dies at 75. The crowd at his funeral in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, was nothing locals had seen in recent history.

Ghazali Jaafar, Bangsamoro Transition Commission chairman, dies
(5th UPDATE) Jaafar's passing comes just over two weeks after the new members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority members took their oath of office in Malacañang

Drug surrenderers, IPs, MILF members to get TESDA training March 2019
TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña says training will start with a 'core group' of some 2,000 MILF rebel returnees, 1,000 Higaonon IPs, and 1,800 drug surrenderers

Moro youth might rebel if Lanao del Norte votes ‘no’ – MILF lawyer
In the February 6 plebiscite, should the votes of the 6 municipalities and their mother province differ, the municipalities will not become part of the new Bangsamoro region

Commander Bravo urges Lanao voters: Vote 'yes' for peace
The alternative is continued violence, warns the MILF commander as Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato gear up for the February 6 Bangsamoro plebiscite

Crackdown on firearms, private armies a priority for Bangsamoro gov't – Murad
The MILF chairman is also confident that the interim Bangsamoro government can combat ISIS influence in Muslim Mindanao

AFP, PNP on heightened alert after Jolo Cathedral explosions
'We will use the full force of the law to bring to justice the perpetrators behind this incident,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

The week in photos: January 19-25, 2019
This week's selection of photo highlights here and around the world

MILF submits list of nominees for members of Bangsamoro government
The list of 41 names, submitted the week before the Bangsamoro plebiscite, includes at least 3 women, one Christian, and one member of an ethnic group

MILF member caught with loaded gun at Lanao del Sur polling center
Police identify 62-year-old Ibrahim Sampiano as a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's 'inner guard 2nd Brigade'

‘Our day is here’: MILF member casts vote in Bangsamoro plebiscite
Former rebel Muhammad Ali, 74, says, 'Pantay-pantay na ang lahat ng tao. Kristyano, babae, mga IP, at pati rin kaming mga Muslim'

MILF chairman Murad casts vote in Bangsamoro plebiscite
Murad Ebrahim says he wants the Bangsamoro Organic Law to be an 'instrument of peace'

WATCH: MILF, government push for Cotabato City in final campaign rally
Votes for and against what is considered the 'crown jewel' of the Bangsamoro region remain split days ahead of the plebiscite

[OPINION] Yes or No: BOL plebiscite
The support of the BOL now should not end with the final vote count of the mid-term elections. The success of the Bangsamoro is our success as a nation.

Bangsamoro plebiscite a 'golden opportunity to decide what is good for us'
'I am very happy because at least I spent my precious life to have this Bangsamoro Organic Law for the benefit of our people, for the benefit of our children and grandchildren, and from generation to generation,' says the MILF's Jannati Mimbantas

In Al Barka, MILF members train to keep the peace
These new members are not trained to fight, but they are trained to understand the Bangsamoro law, says a veteran commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

MILF questions 'efforts to block residents' from Bangsamoro event
Residents were supposedly asked to present identification to attend a campaign event in Cotabato City for the Bangsamoro Organic Law

Over 150,000 ex-MILF fighters to vote in Bangsamoro plebiscite
The Commission on Elections also says a total of 2.8 million voters registered for the plebiscite, exceeding the target

Gov't, MILF kick off campaign for Bangsamoro plebiscite
MILF peace panel head Mohagher Iqbal says the landmark law is a 'formula for peace' that will benefit Muslims and non-Muslims

Military, MILF prepare to secure Bangsamoro vote vs violence
Military officials and Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders discuss security preparations for the January 2019 plebiscite during the historic Camp Aguinaldo visit of MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim

AFP chief Galvez makes 'historic' visit to MILF's Camp Darapanan
Philippine military chief Carlito Galvez Jr goes to Camp Darapanan a few months after Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders visited Camp Aguinaldo

Duterte hopes for Nur Misuari's input in BBL
"'Pag hindi naman tayo nagka-aregluhan, eh ako nasa gitna, mahirapan ako, sino'ng barilin ko?' asks President Rodrigo Duterte

Final version of BBL holds fate of Mindanao peace process
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front seeks to restore deleted provisions in the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which implements a peace deal with the government

Zubiri: Senate's BBL version complies with Constitution
The MILF is expected to push hard to restore key provisions that were removed or revised by both chambers

P6.3-M reward for tipster in BIFF bombmaker Basit Usman's death
The informant against Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters bombmaker Basit Usman is one of several recipients of reward money totaling P27.6 million in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo

After 18 years, Tagum soldier killed in Erap's all-out war gets hero's burial
Technical Sergeant Claudio Forrosuelo died fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Maguindanao in 2000

BBL passage by end of May? 'We'll still give it a try,' says Pimentel
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III says this follows the timeline of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, chair of the Senate subcommittee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law

Zubiri wants Bangsamoro bill passed on Marawi siege anniversary
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri works out a timeline to fulfill President Rodrigo Duterte's wish to sign the law creating the new Bangsamoro region in June

In meeting with Duterte, lawmakers vow to pass BBL by May
If Congress does not pass the Bngsamoro Basic Law, Duterte plans to use his 'residual powers' to help further the cause for peace in Mindanao, says Chief Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza

Lawmakers tell Duterte they'll pass BBL by end of May
Leaders of Congress say they aim to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law by May 30 of this year

Con-Com members point out challenges for BBL with federal shift
MILF officials maintain that the Bangsamoro Basic Law should be passed before the ratification of a new federal constitution

Senators to battle-weary Marawi: 'We will pass Bangsamoro law'
'We should pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law, as this is seen by the people to bring lasting peace,' says Senator Cynthia Villar during a congressional hearing in Marawi City

2018 best time to pass Bangsamoro Basic Law – MILF
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front also cautions against making changes in the proposed measure that are not consistent with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro

Duterte not confident BBL allowable by Constitution
President Rodrigo Duterte doesn't think the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law can 'hurdle constitutional barriers'

MILF to be transformed into NGO once Bangsamoro Basic Law passed
MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim reveals the plan when asked about the future of the group after the passage and implementation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law

Dela Rosa on war on drugs, MILF on BBL, LTO revokes Lopez license | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Mara Cepeda

Duterte promises expanded Bangsamoro region
(UPDATED) The President proposes a Congress session where leaders of various groups, including MILF and MNLF, can present their versions of the Bangsamoro basic law

MILF on BBL, Dela Rosa on war on drugs, Miss Universe 2017 | Midday wRap
Watch the midday newscast with Mara Cepeda